Durham hope North stars as cricket chief

Former Australia batsman Marcus North is to return to English county Durham for a second time, with the club appointing him as their director of cricket. The 39-year-old -- who played in 21 Tests, scoring five centuries -- represented Durham in 2004, recording a highest score of 219. North -- who lives in northeast England -- said he is looking forward to developing the young talent at the second-division side, who have struggled this term and lie in eighth spot. "I'm excited to have been given the opportunity to come back to Durham and I am looking forward to working with the very talented young squad of players and staff," said North, who will take up the role on October 1. "International and first-class cricket has been a major part of my life and this role allows me to utilise my experience and skills in a different capacity." North, who had spells with several other English counties in his playing days, will be the perfect fit to replace Geoff Cook, Durham chief executive Tim Bostock said. "I've known Marcus for a number of years and he was the outstanding candidate following our thorough recruitment process," said Bostock. North will have plenty to do as Durham's season reached a new low this week, routed by Leicestershire in two days after being bowled out for just 61 and 66 -- their two lowest totals since becoming a first-class county in 1992.