Yusuf loves duking it out in County

PROTEAS coach Shukri Conrad may have named five fast bowlers in his artillery for the World Test Championship final against Australia next month at Lord’s, but in the case of an emergency he will not need to look too far for backup if required.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

Lions fast bowler Codi Yusuf has taken the English County Championship by storm, claiming 13 wickets in four innings for Durham, in Division 1. He is currently playing in a four-day fixture against Nottinghamshire, which includes Proteas wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne, who was ironically his 100th first-class victim on Friday. Yusuf also struck a handy unbeaten 44 from No 9 against Hampshire.

It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks for the 27-year-old after swapping Florida on the west Rand of Johannesburg for the north-east of England after being recommended to Durham by David Bedingham.

The Proteas Test No 5 is a stalwart at Durham having topped the Division 1 run-scorers charts last year and had whispered a few quiet nothings in ear of head coach Marcus North.

"I got a message from Bedders asking if I was keen to come and play some country cricket," Yusuf said. "Marcus North then contacted me. He obviously asked me if I'd be keen. It’s always been an aspiration and a dream for me to come and play country cricket.