5 Durham youngsters who could feature for the First XI in 2020

Ever since they won first-class status in 1992 they have become well known for giving youngsters their chance in the first team.

With the Royal London One Day Cup being downgraded to a developmental competition and coach James Franklin repeatedly talking about the faith he has in the academy, 2020 could be another year where the youngsters can flourish.

Sol Bell

The young batsman has been very highly thought of within the Durham hierarchy for a while now and is now looking to carve himself a place within the squad.

The youngster got a taste of first-class action last season as he made his debut for the club away to Gloucestershire at the tail end of the season.

With Bell now impressing overseas this winter with important contributions for Fremantle in Australia.

Harry Adair

Like Bell, Adair has already had a small taste of life in the first team but this time in the T20 Blast.

The top-order batsman made a good impression across his three games in the Blast including his best score of 32 against the Birmingham Bears in August.

Adair will be hoping that these few appearances become more and more regular going into 2020.

Michael Jones

Jones is unusual in that he has become a regular for his country before cementing his place within Durham’s side.

The Scotsman has averaged 38.8 with the bat in the five ODI’s he’s played so far in his career and can clearly be an asset to Durham’s white-ball side going forward should he get the chance.

Jones has also turned out for Tynemouth Cricket Club a number of times in order to keep himself match ready should Durham give him the chance to feature.

Ben Whitehead

The young leg-spinner starred for Durham during their 2018 T20 Blast campaign having been the understudy to Imran Tahir for the start of that season.

Whitehead became a regular for the second XI last year but without a star spinner announced yet for the Blast, Whitehead could find himself back in the first-team fold pretty quickly.

Ross Greenwell

The 21-year-old batsman is another one who’s well regarded with the backroom staff at Durham and is tipped to have a big future with the club.

The young batsman made his first-class debut for Durham in their season-opening game against Durham MCCU in April chipping in with 31.

Greenwell has been a consistent performer for the seconds of late and will be hoping this translates into some more first-team opportunities.