Durham are hoping to persuade the West Indies superstar Brian Lara to play in two `exhibition' matches this summer to mark the club's 10th anniversary.

The county hope that Lara will play alongside other big-names in the games at The Riverside, which will take place in between first-class fixtures in August.

Lara will not be appearing in any county games. Durham's contracted overseas player is the Australian Martin Love.

A club spokesman said: "We have been talking to Brian Lara just about a possible couple of games in August.

"It is nothing to do with county competitions. They are a couple of 'exhibition' matches to mark the 10th anniversary of the club.

"We have got Martin Love as our overseas player this year. He is signed up and everything."

Lara has said he is keen to play in the matches, and Durham hope his presence will raise public interest. The Trinidadian is the scorer of both the highest individual Test match innings and the highest first-class innings, ironically made against Durham for Warwickshire.

"We want to try and put on a big show," the spokesman added.

"The talks are still at an early stage, and it is possible he may not even end up playing for Durham but against us in the matches."

© CricInfo Ltd.