Durham targeting overseas bowler to fill Chris Rushworth void

ECB REPORTERS NETWORK: Director of cricket, Marcus North, is in the process of sourcing both a replacement for Rushworth following his move to Warwickshire and a new head coach to replace James Franklin

Durham's director of cricket, Marcus North, has revealed the club will be targeting an overseas bowler to fill the void left following Chris Rushworth's departure for Warwickshire.

Rushworth was allowed to leave Durham for personal reasons after a distinguished career for the county lasting over 10 years. The 36-year-old finished his time at Chester-le-Street as the club's all-time leading wicket-taker, notching 821 wickets in all formats, 603 of which came in first-class cricket.

"No one is irreplaceable, but we can't find another Chris Rushworth," North said. "It was a surprise to hear that Chris wanted to leave the club. It was hard to hear because he is a legend of the club. But, after spending time with Chris and understanding the issues we were always going to support his decision.

"From a cricketing point of view it is a blow for Durham, but for us it was about supporting Chris. We wish him all the best, it was clear that it was not a cricket decision.

^{Durham are searching for a replacement for head coach, James Franklin [Stu Forster/Getty Images]}

"We're in a position where we might have a different strategic plan with our overseas player. We can be flexible, but certainly we're looking at adding a bowler for our Championship side. It is something in hindsight, looking at last year, we could have addressed.

"During that season we didn't know that Matthew Potts was not going to be available along with Brydon Carse, so we could have had a bowler for the last few months.

"It is becoming increasingly difficult to secure an overseas player for the duration of the season, especially when it's a bowler. The workload of bowlers is carefully managed, so it is always tricky. We might have to be more flexible in our approach, but it might work in our favour when we see what players are selected for the Ashes."

North also has the challenge of finding a new head coach in the off-season after James Franklin left Durham before the end of the 2022 campaign. The club failed to make progress on the field during Franklin's four-year tenure, despite improvements made by individuals, notably Potts, Alex Lees and Carse.

^{Durham were unprepared to lose Matthew Potts to international duty last season [Gareth Copley/Getty Images]}

"James was with the club for four years and he implemented some great changes and influenced key behaviours," he added. "Things happen and teams have to evolve, but there is a really good foundation. We can be excited about a change and for someone new to come in with fresh ideas and a different perspective of the direction that we want to be travelling in.

"It is an exciting time for the club. We have got a fantastic variety of applicants, locally and internationally with varying degrees of experience. There are very exciting candidates available that will energise the players and the club, but also the members and fanbase too.

"I am open to the new coach being from the north-east. We're very proud of our region and we've got candidates who have connections to the club and that's the lucky position that we're in. We've got to look at all the pros and cons of having people from the region or elsewhere.

"Most importantly, it's about their character and what they are bringing to the table to ultimately get the most of this squad where they are currently and what we can potentially achieve. That's the goal: to get the right person regardless where they are from or what background they have. It's all about getting the best person who gives us the best chance of being successful."