Cricket: Taylor, Martin snare county contracts

Ross Taylor has expanded his Twenty20 cricket portfolio by signing with English county Durham. Photo / Brett Phibbs

New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor has further extended his Twenty20 cricket CV by signing with English County champions Durham.

Taylor, 25, and South African allrounder Albie Morkel were announced as overseas players for the English Twenty20 league by the county overnight (NZT), with Taylor to join the squad ahead of their first fixture on June 4.

The hard-hitting New Zealander could yet qualify for four teams in the lucrative Champions League tournament in India later this year.

He has already played for New Zealand Twenty20 champions Central Districts and Australian domestic winners Victoria while his Royal Challengers Bangalore team are through to the semifinals of the Indian Premier League, to be played tomorrow.

Meanwhile, senior test paceman Chris Martin received a boost after a tough finish to the international season against Australia when he was signed by Essex on a short-term deal.

Martin will be the county's overseas player until early May as cover for Pakistan legspinner Danish Kaneria.

Martin was scheduled to play his first match against Lancashire, at Chelmsford, tomorrow night (NZT) and is due to stay with the county until May 7.

Kaneria is currently playing in the Pentangular Cup in Pakistan.

- NZPA