Injury crisis forces Durham to make short-term signings for the upcoming season due to multiple injuries in the side.
Injury crisis sees Durham sign South African Codi Yusuf.
In an attempt to deal with a wave of seamer injuries at the beginning of their Rothesay County Championship season, Durham acquired South African fast bowler Codi Yusuf. Jack Blatherwick from Lancashire and Jake Ball, a former England quick from Somerset, will also join on temporary loans.
In addition to being without Brydon Carse, Sam Conners, Paul Coughlin, Daniel Hogg, Luke Robinson, Stanley McAlindon, and James Minto, Durham also suffered a further blow when David Bedingham, a key Proteas batsman, broke his toe against Warwickshire in the second round.
Durham is hopeful that Bedingham will be eligible for their encounter against Hampshire at the beginning of May, ahead of South Africa’s performance in the World Test Championship final against Australia in June, since it is believed that his injury is not as severe as initially thought. Yusuf will now fill the foreign vacancy that Bedingham’s temporary absence creates alongside Australian seamer Brendan Doggett.
Yusuf, a 27-year-old right-armer, will be available for the Vitality Blast group stages and will play in six Championship rounds, beginning with Friday’s trip to Worcestershire. Although he has not yet received a South African cap, he played for the A team throughout the winter and claimed five wickets in their December triumph over the England Lions.
Yusuf, who has taken 88 first-class wickets at 29.14 since making his debut in 2019, comes to Chester-le-Street fresh off of his most successful home summer to yet, in which he dismissed 26 opponents in seven Lions games. He has also played for the Paarl Royals in the SA20 and claimed 36 T20 wickets at a rate of 29.66.
“With a number of our seam bowlers not available due to injury it was important we acted quickly, and we have done that with the addition of Codi Yusuf. We look forward to welcoming Codi to Durham and watching him play a key part on the field in the coming weeks.”
Yusuf added: “I just want to thank Durham for giving me the opportunity to be part of their team for this season. It’s been a dream to play county cricket for me, so I find it extremely special to be part of Durham.
“I know there are some special players in the changing room as well so I’m immensely excited to meet the players and be part of what looks like a very great environment.”