Durham Academy prospect Josh Coughlin & opening batsman Cameron Steel have signed summer development contracts with Durham CCC for 2017.
The pair have signed season-long deals as the management team start to shape the squad for the new season.
Coughlin has progressed through the Academy ranks and made his first-class bow against Sri Lanka ‘A’ this season, captained by elder brother Paul.
Impressive performances with the Academy side, who he captained to the NEPL T20 title, also caught the eye of England under-19s and he was called up for national duty in July.
He started by hitting 64 against the Unicorns and took two wickets in the first youth Test against Sri Lanka, before an unfortunate injury ruled him out of the remainder of the series.
But he did return in time to play a part in the Second XI final alongside Steel, who was playing against his former employers.
Steel, born in the USA, represented Western Australia before joining Middlesex while also turning out for Durham MCCU.
He first caught the eye of Jon Lewis in early April, scoring 56 in the annual pre-season match, and he finished the season in the club’s second XI after being released from Middlesex.
And in his second match for Neil Killeen’s side, the 21-year-old fell five shy against his former employers in difficult circumstances as Durham went on to win the Second XI Championship.