By Simon Mann Test Match Special commentator

Durham showed a marked improvement in the four-day game last season but will rely heavily on their overseas players if they are to be serious promotion contenders this time.

Bowlers will not relish the task of trying to keep Gibbs quiet

One of their problems has been lack of continuity.

They fielded 24 players in the Championship and 23 in the National League last summer and wisely, the squad has been trimmed.

Bowlers Ian Hunter, Nicky Hatch and Nicky Phillips and all-rounders Danny Law, Ashley Thorpe and Chris Mann have been released, while Michael Gough, of whom much was expected, has lost his appetite for the game and is taking a break.

South African Herschelle Gibbs is undoubtedly an exciting acquisition and should help improve their abysmal one-day record.

Two other players have been also brought in, both of whom have played one Test each.

Gavin Hamilton's career has regressed significantly since he won his only England cap four years ago and Durham are clearly treading carefully as he has been given only a one-year contract.

The arrival of Gareth Breese, a Jamaican off-spinner with a British passport, effectively gives Durham three overseas players.

DURHAM'S 2003 RECORD County Championship: 6th, Division Two National League: 7th, Division Two C&G Trophy: 4th round Twenty20 Cup: 5th in North Group

He played his only Test for West Indies against India in October 2002 and has a good record in Caribbean domestic cricket, leading Jamaica to second place in this year's Carib Beer Cup, taking 25 wickets at 23.60 in the process.

Shoaib Akhtar leads the bowling attack and showed his potency last season with 34 wickets in seven Championship games.

Durham will be desperate to get him on the ground more often this time even though Reon King has been signed to cover when Shoaib is away.

Second Division batsmen will not relish the prospect of Shoaib and Steve Harmison bowling in tandem but they will be unlucky to find a day when they are doing so.

Harmison played five Championship matches last season and it could be even fewer this time because of England commitments.

Martyn Moxon has given Gavin Hamilton (right) a second chance

Liam Plunkett played for England in the under-19 World Cup and he is a pace bowler to look out for but is probably too inexperienced to make a decisive impact just yet.

Jon Lewis captains the side for a fourth season. He was the only batsmen to pass 1,000 runs in 2003 and that is the minimum expected of Gibbs, provided he plays the requisite number of games.

Western Australia's Marcus North will deputise when he is on international duty with South Africa.

Injury restricted Paul Collingwood's season in 2003. Already a regular in England's one-day side, he is on the verge of breaking into the Test team as well.

Unlike Harrison, he does have an England contract but if the current England batting line-up stays settled, Durham could see more of him than they might expect.