Durham sign South African bowler Codi Yusuf for One-Day Cup

Durham have signed fast bowler Codi Yusuf from South Africa to help them deal with a string of injuries to their seamers before the Rothesay County Championship season starts. Jake Ball, Somerset's former England quick, and Jack Blatherwick, from Lancashire, will also join on short-term loans. Brydon Carse, Sam Conners, Paul Coughlin, Daniel Hogg, Luke Robinson, Stanley McAlindon, and James Minto are all out for the Division One team. David Bedingham, a regular Proteas batsman, broke his toe in a game against Warwickshire in the second round. Durham is hopeful that Bedingham will be available for their match against Hampshire at the beginning of May, prior to South Africa's appearance in the World Test Championship final against Australia in June. It is understood that Bedingham's injury is not as severe as initially feared. Due to Bedingham's absence for the time being, Yusuf will now fill a position overseas alongside Australian seamstress Brendan Doggett. Yusuf, a right-armer who is 27 years old, will be present for the Vitality Blast group stages and six Championship rounds, beginning with Friday's trip to Worcestershire. He has yet to be capped by South Africa, but represented the A side over the winter, taking five wickets in their victory over England Lions in December. When Yusuf made his first-class debut in 2019, he had a strike rate of 29.14 and took 88 wickets. With 26 dismissals in seven Lions matches, he returns to Chester-le-Street after his best home summer to date. He has also taken 36 T20 wickets at 29.66, and has turned out for Paarl Royals in the SA20. "Codi joins us on the back of a successful domestic season in South Africa and will strengthen our bowling attack over the coming months," said Durham's director of cricket, Marcus North.