Stuart Poynter will challenge Phil Mustard for Durham’s wicketkeeping gloves after the Irishman signed a two-year contract with the LV= County Champions.
Poynter, 23, is centrally contracted by Ireland, although he is yet to make a senior appearance for them. He has followed in the footsteps of Michael Richardson, another keeper, in joining Durham from MCC Young Cricketers.
Born in London, Poynter has represented Middlesex and Warwickshire in the first-class game, the latter in their last match of the 2013 championship campaign. However, it was his 172 versus Durham in the Second XI Championship for MCC YC that really caught the eye.
Poynter subsequently joined Durham Seconds for the rest of last summer and made some impressive batting displays, including a hundred against Leicestershire.
His older brother, Andrew, is an off-spinning all-rounder who has played for Ireland since 2008.