India paceman joins Durham for season's end

Cricket365
September 5, 2014

Durham have announced that India fast bowler Varun Aaron will join the club as an overseas player for the final few weeks of the season, replacing Australian John Hastings in the squad.

Hastings was been called up to represent Chennai Super Kings in the Champions League Twenty20 competition. Aaron will be available for the final two County Championship games against Northamptonshire and Warwickshire.

A fast bowler who is capable of bowling at over 90 miles per hour, Aaron impressed during the recent Test series against England, taking five wickets in the final two matches. He is the second India player to join a County team, after Cheteshwar Pujara signed for Derbyshire.

Aaron is currently in the middle of a 10-day fast bowling training programme under the guidance of Glenn McGrath, but will fly to England next week to link up with his new teammates in time for the clash with Northamptonshire at Emirates Durham ICG.

"It's an honour for me to play for Durham" said the 24-year-old. "I've always wanted to play county cricket in the UK and am looking to play next season.

"However, I am happy that the opportunity has come sooner and I look forward to joining the rest of the team."

Head Coach Jon Lewis added, commenting on Stuart Broad's broken nose from an Aaron bouncer: "He's obviously got some good pace and he's young and keen.

"He didn't start the series (against England) and came into it halfway through and made an impact because he brought genuine pace to their attack, which they didn't really have early on. I'm sure Stuart Broad remembers him!

"It bolsters our seam attack as we are a bit thin on the ground at the moment. The plan is that he'll join us at Lord's and spend a bit of time with us and that'll give him a few days to get ready for the first game.

"We're excited to have him on board."