DURHAM have recalled Ian Hunter at the expense of Mark Davies for division two's bottom-of-the-table clash at Northampton starting today.

Davies is the only bowler to have played in all seven championship games so far this season and it is felt he is showing signs of needing a rest.

The figures don't bear this out as he was comfortably the most economical bowler in the thrashing at Worcester last week, taking one for 77 in 28 overs.

He also looked lively enough during the National League win on Sunday, when he had to bowl during Worcestershire's one good stand.

Hunter had a poor game in the championship at Cardiff but was much improved in the next match at home to Gloucestershire, only to break down with an abdominal injury when he was threatening to win the game.

Coach Martyn Moxon said: "The decision is no reflection on the way Mark Davies has bowled. But it's his first season and he's feeling a bit tired and has a few aches and pains.

"We see Ian as being a good all-round cricketer as he can also bat a bit and is a good fielder."

This partly explains why Durham have gone for Hunter ahead of Simon Brown and Steve Harmison.

But it is also a clear indication that they are not happy with Harmison's form or fitness, or possibly both, as in the past they have always wanted him in the side because of his extra pace.

Their last visit to Northampton three years ago coincided with Jon Lewis taking over the captaincy in the second innings because David Boon had been injured, and he persevered with Harmison until he won the match.

Harmison bowled 28 overs in Northants' second innings and took the last two wickets as Durham won by 45 runs.

That was also the match in which Neil Killeen took six for 20 in the first innings, figures which he bettered with a career-best seven for 85 in the final match of that season at Leicester.

Partly because of injury, he has struggled to recover that sort of form, but he is this season's joint leading wicket-taker in the championship on 20 with Davies.

Durham have not played Northants for three years because they have been in different divisions. The hosts were among the trio who went up in 2000 then came straight down again.

They were bottom of the table until they moved back above Durham last week by winning at home to Nottinghamshire, reaching a target of 242 with only four wickets down as Mal Loye hit his second century of the match.

Northants have struggled to bowl sides out on their run-laden pitches, but off-spinners Jason Brown and Graeme Swann took three wickets each as Notts were dismissed for 172 in their second innings.

If their aim is to beat Durham through spin, it would make sense to counter that by including Michael Gough rather than Marc Symington. But Gough seems to be out of favour and the option more likely to be considered is Nicky Phillips for Nicky Hatch.

Durham (from): J J B Lewis (capt), G J Pratt, G J Muchall, N Peng, M J Symington, A Pratt, D R Law, I D Hunter, G D Bridge, N Killeen, N G Hatch, N C Phillips.

Northants (from): M E K Hussey (capt), A S Rollins, M B Loye, D J G Sales, J W Cook, A L Penberthy, G P Swann, T M B Bailey, C G Greenidge, D M Cousins, J F Brown, R S G Anderson.