Tahir ready for Durham challenge

Imran Tahir arrived at Riverside on Tuesday ahead of his stint for Durham Jets, his seventh county side.

The Jets coach Jon Lewis called the Proteas spinner ‘world class’ after he penned a deal to join the club for their Vitality Blast campaign.

‘He’s gone full circle because he played for our second team about a decade and a half ago. We’re very pleased with the signing of Imran, he’s a great T20 bowler – one of the best in the world.

‘He obviously knows English conditions very well. He’s played for many counties and he’s a world-class performer, to have him is a real asset. It’s exciting for us to start the competition with an overseas signing of that calibre.

‘He loves his cricket, he still loves playing. He’s obviously got a few years on his side now. He’s still a great performer, and taking wickets and winning games is still what excites him. So it’s really good for us and a lift for everyone here.’

Lewis believes Tahir is the perfect candidate to provide a spinning threat with the white ball.

‘I think wrist spin has been successful in T20. There’s going to be quite a few playing this year, particularly overseas wrist spinners. It’s important to have a wicket-taker – to have either express pace or a mystery spin.

‘It’s important in all forms of white-ball cricket now because if you don’t take wickets people are just lining you up and hitting you out of the park. You need to be able to take wickets and get new batsmen in at the crease because that gives you a chance and he’s a wicket-taker.’

Tahir retweeted the club’s announcement of his arrival.