Ned Eckersley to captain Durham in Bob Willis Trophy

He skippered the county in the latter part of last season’s County Championship, once Australian overseas player Cameron Bancroft – who joined as captain – was called up to his country’s squad for the Ashes series

• Reinforced Durham look well-placed to challenge in Bob Willis Trophy

Ned Eckersley has been named as Durham’s new red-ball captain ahead of the Bob Willis Trophy, which begins on Saturday.

The wicketkeeper, who joined the club from Leicestershire ahead of the 2019 season, last year extended his contract with the club to take him through to the end of the 2021 campaign.

He skippered the county in the latter part of last season’s County Championship, once Australian overseas player Cameron Bancroft – who joined as captain – was called up to his country’s squad for the Ashes series.

The 30-year-old scored 720 runs last season, making him the club’s third-highest run-scorer behind Bancroft and Alex Lees.

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Director of cricket Marcus North said: “We are delighted to confirm that Ned will lead the side as our new red-ball captain. Since Ned joined the club, he has had a huge impact both on and off the pitch.

“He has outstanding leadership qualities, and we believe he is the perfect person to lead Durham out on the field.”

Having made his first-class debut in 2011, Eckersley has amassed more than 6,000 runs, including 15 centuries.

The county have been ramping up their preparations for this truncated season, with the signing last week of Kent batsman Sean Dickson, as well as the news that both James Weighell and Ben Whitehead will leave the club at the conclusion of their contracts.

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