WHETHER stepping out onto the turf at Melbourne Cricket Ground or lining up alongside England captain Michael Vaughan, Nigel Durham lived the dreams of thousands of club cricketers when he took part in the MCC tour of Australia.

The York CC wicketkeeper and former club captain was part of a 15-man squad which travelled Down Under to take on the Aussies' finest club sides in a five match challenge.

It was the second time the 37-year-old cardiologist at York Hospital had been selected for the Marylebone Cricket Club - having toured with the outfit in Argentina six years ago.

Durham played in four of the C' Tour's five games while out in Australia, turning out in the 62-run victory against the Bradman Foundation XI at Bowral, which saw Vaughan continue his comeback from a knee injury.

He also spent time out in the field with England bowler Liam Plunkett and had to take 90mph missiles from Yorkshire's South African fast bowler Deon Kruis.

Indeed, Durham only vacated his place at the stumps in the final game for Paul Nixon who needed playing time after flying in to take the keeping duties in England's one-day international side.

But the man who captained both York cricket and rugby club's in 2000 said the highlight of the tour was playing Melbourne Cricket Club at the MCG.

"It was absolutely fantastic and I've got all my work colleagues to thank for covering for me," he said. "It was a wonderful experience and the only disappointing thing was that England didn't do well enough in the Ashes series.

"Both Vaughan and Liam Plunkett were really approachable and Paul Nixon was good in the dressing room. They got on with the job and it was great to have them on board.

"Vaughan obviously was coming back and needed some cricket, while Deon was bowling very sharply at 87 to 90mph.

"That was a step-up, taking a ball at such speed, but very enjoyable and I will always remember being able to play at the MCG."

The MCC touring party went down by seven wickets to a Swan Richard's XI at Buleen, by eight wickets at the MCG and lost by four wickets against Crusaders, again at Buleen, before turning the corner and winning their remaining two matches against the Bradman Foundation XI and by 83 runs against I Zingari at Camden Park, in Sydney.

Durham, who lives in Poppleton and was York first team cricket captain for four years from 1999 to 2003, said he had no plans to hang up his gloves yet at Clifton Park and would also like to consider another MCC tour if selected. "It would depend on whether the wife lets me go," he quipped.

"I will still be turning out for York and I think I've still got a couple of years left in me in the first team. As for the MCC, I would love to go on another tour."