Codi Yusuf is back in the north-east. Durham have re-signed the South Africa seamer on a deal covering all formats through to early September, beginning with Friday night’s Vitality Blast fixture at home to Northamptonshire.
Yusuf’s first stint, a four-match Championship spell in April and May, brought 17 wickets and plenty of goodwill. Those performances earned him a call-up to South Africa’s Test squad for Zimbabwe, where he marked his debut with 10 wickets at 12.20. With that confidence in the bank, he flies straight into a Durham side that need one more Blast win to rubber-stamp a quarter-final place.
Beyond Friday, the 25-year-old is pencilled in for the next two Championship rounds and the One-Day Cup group phase in August. His familiarity with English conditions – and a recent SA20 campaign for Paarl Royals – gives Durham options across formats without a lengthy bedding-in period.
Marcus North, Durham’s director of cricket, was clear about the reasoning. “Codi was a great addition to Durham during his short spell with us earlier in the season,” he said. “He was heavily invested in the club and his performances in the County Championship have warranted his return to Chester-le-Street. We look forward to him returning to the club this week.”
Durham will hope the reunion proves as productive as the opening act, with a packed home schedule offering Yusuf immediate chances to make an impact.
