Farhaan Behardien available for Durham debut after arrival delayed by travel restrictions

Behardien signed for Durham in February but following the end of his domestic season with the Titans franchise, he was unable to join up with his new teammates owing to the Covid-19 outbreak

Former South Africa batsman Farhaan Behardien could make his Durham debut on Tuesday evening after being included in a 14-man squad for their match against Derbyshire.

The 36-year-old has had the start of his county career delayed by coronavirus-related travel restrictions out of South Africa.

He signed for Durham in February but following the end of his domestic season with the Titans franchise, he was unable to join up with his new teammates owing to the Covid-19 outbreak.

However, he is now available for selection, having arrived in the United Kingdom and completed a two-week quarantine period.

During a long first-class career, he has racked up 6,794 runs at an average of 41.17. In the short term, though, he will strengthen a Durham side still looking for its first win of the T20 Blast campaign.

In 38 T20Is for the Proteas, he averaged 32.37 with a top score of 64 not out.

He is the latest South African to arrive in time to take part in the T20 Blast, following on from Surrey’s Hashim Amla and Sussex allrounder David Wiese, both of whom were similarly delayed in their travel.

Amla began his campaign with 75 in a losing cause against Kent, while Wiese struck an unbeaten 43 against Hampshire before adding a match-winning 79 against Middlesex on Tuesday night.

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