Durham confirm South Africa trip

Durham will travel to South Africa for this year’s pre-season overseas tour, which will encompass six one-day matches across 10 days.

Departing on Tuesday March 24, they will spend their time doing outside training sessions and playing practice matches before arriving back in the North East on Monday April 6.

This will be the first opportunity for new captain Will Smith to get together with the team prior to the start of the season.

Durham head coach Geoff Cook said: “This is our third year of pre-season preparation in South Africa, previous visits have certainly been of great benefit and have been incredibly useful for getting the team together before the start of the season to discuss our targets and aims for the summer.

"It will be especially useful for us this year as we go into the season with a new captain, Will Smith, who I know will want to get to grips in his new role.”

The itinerary includes six one-day matches against a number of opposing sides including Worcestershire, Namibia, the Strikers and North West.

Mark Davies and Liam Plunkett, who go to New Zealand with England Lions tomorrow, will meet the team in South Africa.

Kyle Coetzer, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Steve Harmison and Paul Collingwood will not be travelling to South Africa due to their respective international commitments.