GARY Scott is the surprise member of a Wearside quartet in Durham's squad for the opening Twenty20 Cup match at Derby this evening, writes Tim Wellock.

Almost four years after his only first team appearance, against the same opponents in a championship match at Riverside, the all-rounder is preferred to former skipper Jon Lewis.

Scott, who will be 21 next month, is in for his batting rather than the off-spin bowling, which earned his selection in 2001 at a time when Nicky Phillips was injured.

Phil Mustard, Graeme Bridge and Mark Turner complete the Sunderland-born contingent, although Liam Plunkett may be preferred to Turner.

Scott, who joined the academy in 2000, has been on a development contract for the last three years and has been in good form with the bat since the pre-season tour to Sharjah.

With Ashley Noffke and Mark Davies rested, the selection suggests Durham are not sure whether to stick or twist in this year's Twenty20.

They signed Nathan Astle very much with this competition in mind, but his scores in four totesport matches have not inspired confidence that he is in the sort of form which might propel Durham into the finals.

The competition has been expanded from five to eight group games this season, with Durham playing holders Leicestershire, Yorkshire and Lancashire home and away, plus Derbyshire away and Nottinghamshire at home.

So far they have won only three of their ten games in the event, which included the surprise victory at Grace Road last season, when Neil Killeen took four for seven.

They have yet to surpass the 160 for four they made against Nottinghamshire at Riverside in their first outing in the competition, while their highest individual score is 64 by Phil Mustard at Trent Bridge last season.

Noffke also missed Sunday's totesport defeat by Sussex at Arundel, and although he said he was rested there is some concern that the back problem which prevented his arrival until a month ago might flare up again.

The Twenty20 programme spans two weeks, so with promotion in the championship their priority Durham could save Noffke for the next four-day match at home to Lancashire on July 8.

Graham Onions has recovered from his broken finger and is expected to feature in the competition at some stage after doing well in it last season.

Durham (from): D M Benkenstein, N J Astle, N Peng, P Mustard, G J Muchall, G J Pratt, G R Breese, G M Scott, G D Bridge, M L Turner, N Killeen, L E Plunkett.

l Yorkshire are confident of a bumper crowd for today's Twenty-20 Roses showdown at Headingley.

The corresponding match last year attracted 11,600 and officials believe that this time the ground could reach its 15,500 capacity.

The Roses match remains the showpiece fixture and Yorkshire are hoping to overwhelm Lancashire just as they did last year when they beat them by eight wickets.

In that game, Andrew Flintoff marked his maiden Twenty20 appearance with 85 off 48 balls.

But the big man was knocked off centre stage by Yorkshire's Australian all-rounder, Ian Harvey, who returned from injury to flog an unbeaten 108 from just 59 deliveries with 16 fours and two sixes.

Yorkshire do not have Flintoff to worry about this time, however, because he is currently playing for England in the NatWest Series.

Yorkshire have been given the green light to play Matthew Hoggard tonight. And they have also been told he can play in the next Championship match against Worcestershire at New Road, starting on July 8, and the C&G Trophy quarter-final with Northamptonshire at Headingley on July 16.