MARK TURNER

Birthplace: Sunderland
Date of Birth: 23rd October, 1984
Right-handed batsman
Right-arm fast-medium bowler

Mark played through all of the age group teams at Durham, before going onto the county's Academy and making his championship debut against Essex in 2005 at the Riverside.

However his opportunities in the north east were limited so he joined Somerset for 2007.

He played for England at Under 19 level and appeared at the County Ground in Taunton in 2004 against Bangladesh, where he enjoyed match figures of nine for 104, in the same game that James Hildreth scored 210.

Mark also went to Bangladesh for the Under 19 World Cup but had to return early because of an ankle injury.

His first season in the West Country was spent mostly understudying the established bowlers and he made just three first class appearances as well as playing in 10 one-day matches. He did register his maiden first class half century against Derbyshire at taunton and his career best bowling figures of 4-30 against Loughborough UCCE.

During the winter Mark has been involved with the National Skill Sets, a young elite group based at Loughbrough.

As a junior he played football for both Manchester United and Sunderland and remains a staunch supporter of his home-town club, going along to watch them whenever he can.

Away from cricket, Mark plays golf at least once a week off a handicap of 20 and when he gets the chance he likes to go sea fishing.

He lists Ian Botham as one of his heroes after seeing the former Somerset and England star playing cricket at the Recreation Ground in Durham City.