Durham sign Wiseman for 2007

Durham have signed the former New Zealand offspinner Paul Wiseman for the 2007 season.

Wiseman's last match for New Zealand was their steamrollering of Sri Lanka in April 2005, who they beat by an innings and 38 runs, but he was wicketless and faced the axe. Now 36, he has represented Durham A this summer and is keen to make the most of this new opportunity to pass on his experience to a younger generation.

"Paul is a player who we believe can offer a great deal to our set up, giving us good performances on the field and offering support to our younger players during their development," Martyn Moxon, Durham's head coach said. "Our aim has always been to compete at the highest possible level and by bringing in the likes of Dale Benkenstein last year and Paul this year we continue to provide our young cricketers support within the team as well as the opportunity to benefit from the experience of these guys."

Wiseman commented that he was "excited to be joining a club that is going places" and added: "The Academy and development set up at Durham has a proven track record of producing quality players and I am delighted to have the chance to lend my experience to the next generation."