Durham sign Matthew Kuhnemann for County Championship campaign

Durham have signed Australia spinner Matthew Kuhnemann for the upcoming County Championship campaign. Kuhnemann, who made his Test debut against India recently, was not Durham's first-choice, but went for the player after a deal for Todd Murphy fell through. The move was supposedly blocked by Cricket Australia, who expect the spinner to be part of the Ashes squad.

Kuhnemann, who picked up nine wickets from three Tests in his debut series in the subcontinent, impressed with a five-wicket haul in Indore as Australia won the game by nine wickets.

"We are very excited to have secured another exciting young spin talent in Matthew Kuhnemann," Durham's director of cricket Marcus North said. 

"Matt impressed in India for Australia and is in a great place with his game, we are really looking forward to him joining us next week and seeing him perform in the County Championship.

"We were keen to bring in a spinner that will enable us to further strengthen and balance our Championship side and with the signing of Matt, that now helps us to be effective in all conditions.

"We are obviously disappointed that Todd Murphy will not be joining us in the early part of the season as planned, but we look forward to welcoming him to the club later in the summer."

Kuhnemann, who made his first-class debut in 2021, said that he is excited to link up with his new teammates. "I'm really excited to be joining Durham for the upcoming county season," Kuhnemann said. 

"I look forward to playing with some world-class players and contributing to some wins for the club throughout the summer. I can't wait to get over there and meet everyone."