Durham skipper on hold

Jun 27 2008 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

DURHAM remain on course for Twenty20 cricket’s Champions League even though their captain does not know whether he will be allowed to play in it.

The Dynamos’ victory over Derbyshire on Wednesday has guaranteed their place in the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

But as his side look to secure the victory over Lancashire at the Riverside this evening which will give them a home tie in the quarters, Dale Benkenstein admitted his own future is unclear because of his involvement in the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) over the winter.

The ICL has been bitterly opposed by the officially-sanctioned Indian Premier League, whose organisers, the Indian Cricket Board, have insisted that anyone who appeared in the unsanctioned league will be banned from playing in the Champions League as punishment.

“I don’t know what is going to happen, but I’m trying not to think about it too much,” said Benkenstein, who has already been banned from playing in South Africa as a result of his decision to sign up for the Delhi Giants.

“The most important thing is that Durham get to the final and qualify for the Champions League because that will be a massive boost for the club as well as the players who have got us there.

“We’ll worry about whether I can play in the Champions League after that, it’s case of crossing that bridge when we come to it.

“It’s great that we’ve reached the quarter-finals for the first time, but we still have to reach the final before we worry about my availability.”

Whether the Indian powerbrokers will be able to uphold a ban legally is open to question and Benkenstein believes a challenge in the courts is likely if they continue with their draconian stance.

He explained: “I don’t regret going to play in the ICL, but the people who run the IPL are trying to ostracise us.

I don’t think the ICL will take that and I’m sure some sort of legal challenge will be made, we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Durham’s performances in Twenty20 cricket have been a revelation this year and Benkenstein believes the signings of South African pair Shaun Pollock and Albie Morkel have been instrumental in transforming their fortunes.

He said: “I think the signings indicated how seriously the club were taking the competition and that has rubbed off on the players.

We know how important this form of cricket is and our performances have reflected that.

“We’ve always had a good team on paper, but Albie and Shaun have brought confidence and experience and that has helped the rest of the squad fulfil their potential.”

Durham squad Lancashire (home): Michael Di Venuto; Phil Mustard; Will Smith; Dale Benkenstein; Albie Morkel; Shaun Pollock; Gareth Breese; Scott Borthwick; Liam Plunkett; Ben Harmison; Neil Killeen; Garry Park; Stephen Harmison.