THE battle for places at the top of Durham's batting order is already threatening to be decided by injuries.

Michael Gough and Gary Pratt, who both made centuries on the tour to Cape Town, were unable to press their claims in the two-day practice match against Yorkshire this week.

Gough pulled a back muscle and was unable to bat, while Pratt played with a knee problem and was out for 19.

Pratt is the more likely to play in the three-day first-class match against Durham University starting at the Riverside today.

Another opening batsman, Jon Lewis, hopes to be fit to lead the side after having two wisdom teeth removed during the Yorkshire match.

Despite the one-sided nature of the contest last season, coach Martyn Moxon plans to field as strong a side as possible as Durham prepare for their opening championship match at home to Middlesex next Friday.

Last year's match was the university's inaugural first-class fixture and they were bowled out for 67 before Durham replied with 485 for four declared.

Of the four batsmen dismissed two were stumped by James Foster, but he will not be playing this time following the award of his central England contract.

After missing a large chunk of his studies while touring with England over the winter, he is due back at Durham next week to discuss with his tutors how to complete his degree course while meeting his cricket commitments.

Durham hope to give another outing to Stephen Harmison, who reported nothing worse than a bit of stiffness following his first serious bowl on Wednesday after his shoulder injury.

Paul Collingwood took charge of operations on the field during Lewis's absence, but Moxon said there were no plans to have an official vice-captain.

l Yorkshire coach Wayne Clark has praised the Riverside facilities following the two-day practice match with Durham saying: "It was a fantastic exercise and great preparation for both sides. The wicket which we played on was really first class and there are undoubtedly going to be a lot of runs scored there this season."

Clark said he was pleased that openers Matthew Wood and Scott Richardson both scored runs when Durham's bowling was at its most demanding, and Michael Lumb had then impressed with a fine 82.

But what had pleased him most of all was the form of Gary Fellows who hit a rapid half-century before retiring. "It was splendid batting by Fellows and probably the best I have seen him play," said Clark.

Gavin Hamilton stood out with both bat and ball, while Ryan Sidebottom and Steven Kirby both took the chance to bowl off long runs. Yorkshire's only concern came when Chris Silverwood fell over in the nets before the game began and suffered slight bruising to his knee, but he is expected to be bowling again on Monday.

A two-day match between Yorkshire's first team and the Second XI has been arranged for Headingley on Wednesday and Thursday and new captain Darren Lehmann flies in from Australia on the following day.

Read more about Durham here.