Pollock joins Durham

Durham have signed former South Africa all-rounder Shaun Pollock for the Twenty20 Cup.

The 34-year-old, who retired from international cricket in February, turned down an approach from Warwickshire to return to Edgbaston this season.

He is currently playing for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, and will join up with the Durham squad ahead of the start of the Twenty20 Cup on June 11.

Albie Morkel takes over from fellow South African Neil McKenzie as Durham's overseas player later this season, but Pollock is eligible to play as a Kolpak signing because he has retired from first-class cricket in his homeland.

Pollock, a former team-mate of Durham captain Dale Benkenstein, said: “When I got the offer from Durham I really jumped at the chance to get on board.

“They are determined to do well in the Twenty20 Cup and I want to contribute to that success.

“They proved themselves to be a force in the four-day and one-day game last year and I’m keen to help them replicate that success in the Twenty20 Cup.”

Pollock took 421 wickets in 108 Tests for South Africa, as well as winning 303 one-day caps.

Durham chief executive David Harker added: “Shaun is one of the biggest talents in world cricket and we’re delighted that he’s decided to join us.

“He’s got great experience in all formats of the game and we think he’ll bring a great presence to the team, both on and off the field.

“We’ve got big aspirations for success in the Twenty20 Cup this season and along with Albie (Morkel) I’m sure that we have recruited players with enough Twenty20 experience to help us progress in the competition.”

Pollock is set to make his Durham debut against Derbyshire at the Riverside on June 11.

Durham will play four further home fixtures – Wednesday June 18 v Notts Outlaws, Friday June 20 v Leicestershire Foxes, Tuesday June 24 v Yorkshire Carnegie and Friday June 27 v Lancashire Lightning.

Durham Twenty20 Cup season tickets are now on sale priced at £40 for adults and £20 for juniors. Two match passes are also available priced at £20 for adults and £10 for juniors.

Individual match tickets are priced at £12 for adults (£15 on the day) and £5 for juniors (£6 on the day).

Tickets can be purchased online at www.durhamccc.co.uk or by calling the box office on 0844 499 4466.

Pollock will also be commentating on the npower Test series as well as the NatWest Series and NatWest Twenty20 match between England and South Africa this summer for Sky Sports and BBC Test Match Special.

Paul King, Sky Sports cricket producer, said: “Shaun Pollock is one of the biggest names in South African cricket and we’re delighted to add him to our commentary team later this summer.

"Having played over 100 Tests and 300 one-day internationals for his country, I’m sure he’ll provide fascinating insight throughout the series.”

Adam Mountford, producer of Test Match Special, said: "We are thrilled that Shaun is joining Jonathan Agnew, Geoff Boycott and the rest of the Test Match Special team for the South African tour.

“Having been so recently involved in the international game, and indeed still playing cricket at a high level, he will be able to provide a fascinating insight.

"We just hope he will give more away when he is commentating than he does when he is bowling!"