Durham sign Matt Kuhnemann after Australia choose to manage Todd Murphy workload

The county have moved quickly to replace one Australian spinner with another, though Durham are still hopeful that Murphy could turn out for them later this summer

Durham have responded to news of Todd Murphy's unavailability by replacing one Australian Test spinner with another, bringing in Matt Kuhnemann for the start of the season.

Murphy, who made his Test debut in India earlier this year, had been lined up by head coach Ryan Campbell and director of cricket Marcus North ahead of the Ashes, but Cricket Australia's decision to look after the 22-year-old off-spinner, as reported by The Cricketer earlier this week, has forced a change of plans in the shape of Kuhnemann.

The left-arm spinner, who plays for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield, took nine wickets in three Tests in India after arriving as a late call-up and usurping Ashton Agar in the pecking order. He claimed figures of 5 for 16 at Indore in Australia's sole victory.

Kuhnemann was already due to be spending his summer in the United Kingdom, having signed for Essex league club Buckhurst Hill. But he will instead be Durham's overseas spinner as the county plan for life after Chris Rushworth and look for ways of improving a bowling attack that struggled to take 20 wickets in matches last season.

^{Todd Murphy could still join Durham later in the summer (Paul Kane/Getty Images)}

"We were keen to bring in a spinner that will enable us to further strengthen and balance our Championship side and with the signing of Matt, that now helps us to be effective in all conditions," said North.

Durham have also confirmed that they remain hopeful of signing Murphy for the second half of the season following the Ashes. Kuhnemann will remain available in the County Championship for Durham through the whole season.

"We are obviously disappointed that Todd Murphy will not be joining as in the early part of the season as planned, but we look forward to welcoming him to the club later in the summer," read a Durham statement.

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