NOT KOLPAK, NOT YET

Stephen Cook eyes county stint with Durham

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South Africa's opening batsman is likely to play for Durham for the first half of the 2017 County season. © Cricbuzz

South Africa's opening batsman Stephen Cook is close to signing a deal with Durham for the first half of next season as an overseas player. It was suggested that Cook, who is expected to be replaced by New Zealander Tom Latham when South Africa's Test series against England gets underway in July, was looking for a Kolpak deal with a county but Cricbuzz understands he will be considered as an overseas player.

After the recent signings of Kyle Abbott and Rilee Rossouw by Hampshire on Kolpak contracts that made the duo ineligible for international duty, losing another high-profile player would have been a further serious blow to the South African set-up. As an overseas player, Cook would remain eligible for his country.

The 34 year-old right-hander has played just eight Tests, already forming a solid opening partnership with Dean Elgar, but had to wait 15 years from his first-class debut before getting a chance at Test level. He has a relatively secure place in South Africa's Test team and may not want to give up on playing for his country just yet after striving so long for an opportunity.

Both Cook and Latham would provide experience and solidity to Durham's top order. That will be paramount following the moves of both Mark Stoneman and Scott Borthwick to Surrey at the end of last season and the likelihood of Keaton Jennings being in the England Test side for the summer. Cook will open the batting with Jennings before facing him during the four Test series which starts on July 6 at Lord's.

Cricbuzz understands that Latham, who played for Durham's Academy in 2011, is also close to a deal which will see him take over from Cook after New Zealand's Champions Trophy campaign. He has played 88 times across all formats for New Zealand and also has previous county experience after a short spell with Kent last season.

Durham will be playing in Division Two of the Championship next season after their enforced relegation by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) due to financial issues at the club. They will also start the season with a 48 point penalty.

© Cricbuzz