South Africa batter Bedingham to return to Durham

Durham have signed David Bedingham in one of their overseas slots for the 2026 county season across all three competitions.

Bedingham, 31, returns to the club for a seventh-straight year, having scored almost 5,000 runs for them in red-ball cricket.

In 2024, the South Africa middle-order batter was the leading scorer in Division One of the County Championship with 1,331 runs at an average of over 78, while his 279 against Lancashire that summer is the county's highest first-class score.

But Bedingham only managed 333 runs in six games last year as Durham were relegated.

"Being at Durham for the full season next year is very exciting and I can't wait to hopefully play a vital role in getting us back into Division One," he told the club's website.

Bedingham has played 15 Tests for South Africa with three half-centuries and a best of 110 against New Zealand in Hamilton two years ago and has been one of the best overseas players in English cricket in the last few years.

"Bedders has been a key figure for us over a number of years since joining the Club, and it's fantastic to see him commit to another season in the North East playing all formats for us," said Durham's director of cricket Marcus North.

"He brings a calm presence to the dressing room, an integral part of our environment who is hugely popular within the group and fits perfectly with our positive style of cricket."