Axar to play for Durham

​London: Left-arm spinner Axar Patel is the latest Indian cricketer to join the English county cricket bandwagon as he is set to play six Championship (first class) matches for Durham in August.

Axar thus becomes the fourth India player after skipper Virat Kohli (Surrey), Cheteshwar Pujara (Yorkshire) and Ishant Sharma (Sussex) to decide to play county cricket.

Axar is unlikely to be in contention for a berth in Test squad unless Ravindra Jadeja is ruled out. According to Durham club's official website, Axar will make his County debut on August 19 against Glamorgan in an away game at SWALEC ground in Swansea.

This will be followed by matches against Northamptonshire, Sussex, Middlesex, Leicestershire and Warwickshire.