Chanderpaul

DURHAM, England (CMC):

WEST INDIES batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul has signed up again with the English county Durham, the club announced yesterday.

Chanderpaul, 33, played his first season with Durham last summer and has agreed to rejoin the county this summer after completing his international duties in July.

Coming off a strong season in which Durham won their first major title last year, the Friends Provident Trophy, the club has renewed alliances with Chanderpaul and Australian veteran Michael DiVenuto, who contributed well to their successes last season.

Apart from their Friends Provident Trophy, Durham captured Division Two of the NatWest Pro40 league and placed second in the Liverpool Victoria County Championship, their best finish to date.

Big future

"Durham is a club with a big future and after the success we had last year, we are definitely keen to start the season as we finished," Chanderpaul said.

"I'll be keeping an eye on the results while I'm on tour and I can't wait to join up with the team later on in the year," added the left-handed batting star.

The Guyanese Chanderpaul, who recently became only the third player to score half centuries in seven consecutive Test matches, is returning as the official overseas player, and the 34-year-old DiVenuto as a European Union employee courtesy of an Italian passport.

DiVenuto has decided to retire from domestic cricket in Australia, clearing the way for a two-year deal with Durham. He scored more than 1,300 first- class runs in 2007, including 12 fifties.

Durham head coach Geoff Cook welcomes the signings by Chanderpaul and DiVenuto and expressed confidence that their profitable association with the county should continue in the forthcoming season.