Latham signing continues Durham's top-order focus

Tom Latham, the New Zealand batsman, will join Durham as their overseas player for the second half of the season.

Latham will arrive after the Champions Trophy and will be available in the County Championship and the NatWest T20 Blast. He will replace Stephen Cook, the South Africa opener, who has been signed for the first stage of the summer before linking up with South Africa for their Test series against England.

Durham, who were relegated to Division Two of the Championship as part of the sanctions for an ECB financial bailout, have focused on their top order in the off-season following the departures of Mark Stoneman and Scott Borthwick to Surrey.

Latham's arrival will also help cover for the potential absence of Keaton Jennings, who could be part of England's Test side following his century on debut against India. Latham has strong links with Durham having played for the academy side in 2010 and also had spells in the North East Premier League with Gateshead Fell in 2010 and South Shields in 2013.

"Tom is someone who we know well and we were very keen to renew the relationship," Jon Lewis, the Durham coach, said. "He has potential to build on his excellent record up to now and we are looking forward to welcoming him back to the club."

Last season, Latham had a spell with Kent where he scored 374 runs at 46.75 in the County Championship, although his T20 output was less eye-catching with 128 runs from six innings.

Latham's recent form for New Zealand has been impressive with 302 runs in the two-Test series against Bangladesh, which has pushed his average above 40.