By Jon Steer
April 4 2003

Durham have been placed as outsiders for success in both the national league and the county championship by William Hill. Durham are favourites for the wooden spoon in the championship and only Scotland have longer odds in the league. Despite a good showing by Colly and Harmison at international level over the winter and the recognition by their respective countries of the abilities of Love and new signing Pretorius Durham are virtually bottom of the betting for the coming season.

For those of you who fancy a flutter Durham must look an attractive bet at 14-1 for the league division 2 title. 33-1 for the county championship may too much of a gamble with the likes of Yorkshire to face but an each way bet wouldn't be unrealistic.

Scotland are the only team with longer odds than Durham, they are 200-1 to take the National League division 2 title.

The favourites for the division 2 championship and league titles according to William Hill are Yorkshire (15-8) and Nottinghamshire (3-1) respectively.