Styris bolsters Durham ranks

Twenty20 / Editor / 28 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

The news that New Zealand star Scott Styris is set to join up with Durham is sure to have an impact on Betfair's domestic cricket markets.

The all-rounder, who was so impressive at the World Cup with both bat and ball, will head to the north-east for a two month stint - starting from June 1.

The 31-year-old scored 499 runs in the Caribbean showpiece and is now keen to try his luck in the county game, where he had a stint with Middlesex in 2005 and 2006.

New Zealand cricket manager Lindsay Crocker confirmed the Durham switch, saying: "Importantly for us, it gives him (Styris) the chance to continue the momentum which he built up at the World Cup."

Styris will return to the New Zealand team in September for the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa and the Test series against the South Africans.

The veteran of 130 one day internationals will join his new county's ranks in time for the domestic Twenty20 competition, with Durham currently one of the tournament outsiders at 36.

The Riverside outfit, who have moved up to second in the Division One table, can be backed at 7.4 to win their first County Championship title.