Cameron Steel has been named as captain for Durham’s Specsavers County Championship match against Derbyshire at Emirates Riverside starting tomorrow (11am start).
In the absence of Paul Collingwood through injury, Steel will lead the side as the red ball returns following the conclusion of the Royal London One-Day Cup group stages.
And after missing the final match of the North Group to concentrate on four day cricket, the 22-year-old will slot back into the side for the next four days.
With qualification impossible before yesterday’s match at Leicestershire, Chris Rushworth & Nathan Rimmington also benefited from the night off & will return to the XI.
Mark Wood has joined back up with England ahead of their ODIs against Scotland & Australia, while Barry McCarthy & Stuart Poynter are away on Ireland duty ahead of their T20 tri-series against the Netherlands & Scotland.
Michael Richardson is missing after picking up a thigh injury while batting against Leicestershire last night while James Weighell, Matthew Potts & Brydon Carse remain sidelined.
It means there could be a number of new faces in the XI named on Saturday morning. Ryan Davies is confirmed to make his first-class debut as wicketkeeper, with Michael Jones & Matt Salisbury also included in a 13-man squad.
Davies made an impressive List A debut on Thursday, scoring 61 not out, while Jones has impressed for the Second XI. Like Davies, Salisbury made his debut at Leicestershire after signing on a month-long loan.
Tom Latham will also make his maiden first-class appearance of the season after replacing Aiden Markram before the start of the One-Day Cup.
Josh Coughlin, Gavin Main & Liam Trevaskis all make the squad after impressing for the Seconds in the early part of the season.
Squad vs Derbyshire (9-12 June)
Cameron Steel (c), Tom Latham, Will Smith, Graham Clark, Gareth Harte, Michael Jones, Ryan Davies (wk), Liam Trevaskis, Nathan Rimmington, Josh Coughlin, Chris Rushworth, Matt Salisbury, Gavin Main
Last Time Out
The sides met in the last round of Specsavers County Championship fixtures, with Durham just falling short in their quest for a second successive come-from-behind victory.
Having let Derbyshire off the hook in the first session after electing to bowl, the hosts reached 427 all out before Durham’s reply stuttered to 175/5 with danger of being made to follow on.
However, a record stand between centurions Michael Richardson & Stuart Poynter, who made a career-best 170, handed their side a first innings lead of 93.
Mark Wood, returning from the IPL for red ball duty ahead of England’s Test series against Pakistan, then gave the hosts a Day Four fright by taking figures of 6/46, his best in first-class cricket.
However, tail end resistance led by Matt Critchley, Daryn Smit & Tony Palladino ensured they batted long enough to secure a draw as the sides shook hands shortly after 5pm.
Tickets
Tickets are available to buy in advance for each day, priced at £12 adults & £5 juniors. These can be purchased from the Box Office on 0844 499 4466, through the website or in-person.
On-the-day prices are £15 adults & £5 juniors, available at Gate Two.
Gates open at 10am for an 11am start.
Match Coverage
Live match highlights are available through the ‘Match Highlights’ section of the website, with live commentary available via BBC Sport online with BBC Newcastle’s Martin Emmerson.
Updates & video clips will also be available via the Club’s Twitter account.