Cricket: Durham snap up Latham for second half of season

Tom Latham batting. New Zealand Black Caps v Australia. Photo / Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.

Durham have signed New Zealand test opener Tom Latham as their overseas player for the second half of the 2017 season.

Latham is the second overseas signing this week for Durham, with South Africa opener Stephen Cook also set to feature throughout the first half of the forthcoming campaign.

Cook is then expected to be selected for his country's test series against England in July and August.

Latham, who has already played for Durham's academy and second XI, will return after the Champions Trophy in June as Cook's replacement.

The 24-year-old left-hander is an emerging force in test and one-day international cricket.

"I am really looking forward to another stint in county cricket in 2017, he said. "It is even more exciting to be returning to Durham ...

"I can't wait to get started with my new teammates and hope to be able to contribute positively both on and off the field."

Durham will begin the new season with a 48-point deficit in Division Two of the Specsavers County Championship, a penalty which accompanied their demotion as part of the terms of their financial bail-out from the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Durham head coach Jon Lewis said: "Tom is someone who we know well, and we were very keen to renew the relationship.

"He has potential to build on his excellent record up to now, and we are looking forward to welcoming him back to the club."