Durham hand James Minto, 18, two-year professional deal

Durham have secured bowling all-rounder James Minto on a two-year professional contract that runs until the end of the 2028 season. The club confirmed the deal on 19 October 2026, moving the 18-year-old up from rookie terms. BBC Sport

Minto bowls left-arm and bats as well, the two-way skill set behind the all-rounder tag. He is an England Under-19 international. Durham's director of cricket is Ryan Campbell, who oversees the men's playing squad.

His first-team story started early. Minto made his first-class debut — the multi-day county game played over up to four days — against Surrey at just 16. Two years on, he has seven first-class matches and 14 wickets for Durham.

The batting breakthrough came in 2025. Aged 17, he hit 67 against Nottinghamshire to become the youngest player to score a half-century for Durham. Fifty is the landmark for a solid innings, and to reach it as a teenager in the long format takes nerve.

Minto has already sampled the shorter formats too. He has played in the One-Day Cup, the 50-over county competition, and made one appearance in the T20 Blast, the frantic 20-over league. Counties need cricketers who can shift between tempos. Early exposure helps.

The pathway explains the timing. Minto came through Durham's Academy before signing a two-year rookie contract in May 2025, a deal that had been due to run to the end of the 2026 season. He had also been picked for the England Young Lions Invitational squad in 2024. Rookie deals give young professionals a foothold in the senior dressing room, while full professional terms confirm a permanent senior squad place.

The new contract cuts across that old end-date and gives both sides clarity. Durham keep a home-grown left-armer under contract for two more full seasons. Minto gets security while he pushes for regular selection.

What makes this stand out is the completeness of the start. Seven long-format games, wickets in hand, a record with the bat and a foot in both white-ball squads. That is a lot of boxes ticked before 19.

For fans, this means more chances to watch a young Durham product grow. Left-arm angles are rare and valued, especially when paired with runs down the order. Now Minto has time to turn promise into a regular place.