Nathan Astle will make his one-day debut for Durham Dynamoes in Tunbridge Wells tomorrow - but could be the only one of the new boys who figured against Durham UCCE to do so.
The New Zealand veteran, one of the biggest hitters in international cricket, is set to open for the totesport Division Two leaders against Kent. Callum Thorp has not been named in the 12-man squad and fellow Australian Ashley Noffke will compete with Liam Plunkett, Mark Davies and Neil Killeen for three bowling places.
Astle made 65 in his second innings against Durham UCCE at the Racecourse Ground, but his efforts with the ball yesterday failed to prevent the three-day game ending in a draw.
The students' brave run chase saw Durham spinners Graeme Bridge and Gareth Breese share seven wickets as the hosts finished 47 runs short on 261-9 after 74 overs.
Durham set UCCE a target of 308 when they declared at lunch on 258-7 after 72 overs, with opener Jon Lewis hitting 68.
Stand-in captain Dale Benkenstein and Astle also made half centuries with Nottinghamshire batsman Will Smith then falling eight runs short of his century when Durham UCCE replied.
The students were 131-1 at one stage but Durham spin duo Bridge and Breese turned the screw as six wickets fell for 61 runs.
* PAUL Collingwood has been named in the first team to take on Australia this summer. He will line up alongside Kevin Pietersen in a Professional Cricketers' Association XI to face the tourists in next month's Twenty20 game at Arundel Castle.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh's pitiful efforts at Lord's have failed to dampen enthusiasm for their visit to Chester-le-Street for the second Test. Only 500 tickets are available for the first two days.
