Axar to play for Durham in County C'ship

Left-arm spinner Axar Patel is the latest Indian cricketer to join the English county cricket bandwagon as he is set to play six Championship (first class) matches for Durham in August.

Axar thus becomes the fourth India player after skipper Virat Kohli (Surrey), Cheteshwar Pujara (Yorkshire) and Ishant Sharma (Sussex) to decide to play county cricket. Even out of favour fast bowler Varun Aaron will turn up for Leicestershire for a few games.

India's limited overs specialist will play at a time when the national team will engage in a Test series, starting August 1.

Axar is unlikely to be in contention for a berth in Test squad unless Ravindra Jadeja is ruled out.

According to Durham club's official website, Axar will make his County debut on August 19 against Glamorgan in an away game at SWALEC ground in Swansea.

This will be followed by matches against Northamptonshire, Sussex, Middlesex, Leicestershire and Warwickshire.

"Thanks a lot @DurhamCricket for the welcome. Look forward to my first experience in County cricket," Axar tweeted.

The 24 year old Axar has so far played 38 ODIs and 11 T20 Internationals, taking 45 and 9 wickets respectively.

In the longer format, he has played 23 first class matches, taking 79 wickets and scoring 1163 runs at an average of 48.45.