Durham County Cricket Club is delighted to confirm that Aiden Markram will join the club for the beginning of the 2018 Specsavers County Championship season.
The South Africa international opener, who recently captained his country during the Proteas’ ODI fixture against India earlier this month, will arrive at Emirates Riverside in time for Durham’s opening home Championship fixture against Kent and will stay until the start of the Royal London One Day Cup in the middle of May.
Markram, who captained South Africa to Under-19 World Cup success in 2014, saw his impressive form with South Africa ‘A’ rewarded with a full Test call-up during the England series last summer but would make his debut against Bangladesh in September, scoring 97 in his first innings.
The 23-year-old added back-to-back centuries in his second & third Tests, against Bangladesh & Zimbabwe, before adding a classy 94 during the series win over India. After six Tests, his average stands at a lofty 52.
New Zealand international Tom Latham, who spent a successful summer with Durham last season, will take over the South African’s opening spot in time for the white ball format and will also captain Durham’s RL50 campaign.
Following his positive impact at Emirates Riverside, Latham confirmed his class this winter with a brilliant unbeaten century in the Black Caps’ One-Day International series against India & featured in his country’s home series wins against West Indies & Pakistan.
Durham are also investigating different player options for their 2018 Vitality Blast campaign.
Durham County Cricket Club Chairman, Sir Ian Botham OBE, said: “We’re delighted to have both Aiden and Tom at Emirates Riverside this season and I am confident they will both contribute to what we hope will be a successful season.
“Aiden offers confidence and maturity at the top of the batting order and despite being just 23-years-old, he has already been recognised by South Africa as a leader in the dressing room.
“It’s great news that we will have Aiden at the beginning of our Championship campaign, especially with Tom Latham, Ben Stokes and Mark Wood all missing due to their international and IPL commitments.
“We’re delighted to welcome Tom back to Chester-le-Street and I’m excited to see him captain the RL50; he has a wealth of international experience and brings exceptional batting, fielding and leadership skills into the dressing room.”