Blackwell Heads To Durham

Blackwell - seasoned campaigner.

County champions Durham have signed Somerset all-rounder Ian Blackwell on a three-year deal.

The 30-year-old has played one Test match and 34 one-day internationals for England - the last in 2006 - and will add more depth to Durham's already-impressive squad, particularly with his big hitting in the Twenty20 format.

Head coach Geoff Cook said: "With Durham looking to constantly improve our squad, when it became clear Ian was available we grabbed the chance of signing him.

"I think it's important to sign players of Ian's quality and experience to continue the progress of the squad in all forms of the game."

Blackwell, whose powerful hitting and left-arm spin proved a popular combination at Taunton, has 21 first-class centuries to his name, with a top score of 247 not not. On the bowling front, he has taken 239 wickets.

Blackwell's career began in his native county of Derbyshire. He made his first-class debut for them back in 1997 before moving to Taunton in 2000.