DURHAM are resting Phil Mustard this week ahead of Saturday’s Royal London Cup final against Warwickshire at Lord’s.

No play was possible yesterday on the first day of the championship match against Northamptonshire at Chester-le-Street, in which Michael Richardson is to keep wicket.

Mustard missed the home match against Nottinghamshire two weeks ago because of a knee injury, but returned to score 89 against the same opposition in the RLC semi-final.

He played in last week’s win at Lord’s but was still in some discomfort, so Durham have taken the precaution of leaving him out, which also spares them the dilemma of choosing between Calum MacLeod and Gordon Muchall.

Poor light, plus occasional drizzle, forced yesterday’s abandonment.

When it cleared in mid-afternoon it was announced that play would begin at 4pm, but shortly afterwards the murk closed in again.

Peter Chase’s recent success for Durham has earned him a place in Ireland’s squad for the pre-World Cup tour of Australia and New Zealand at the end of this month, when he will be joined by Durham’s reserve wicketkeeper, Stuart Poynter.

“Peter’s height and pace gives us some variety in the seam bowling department,” said Phil Simmons, the Ireland coach.

“We’ve seen just how effective he can be with his performances in the County Championship with Durham in recent weeks.”

Chase was hastily registered by Durham because of their injury crisis and took five for 64 on his debut in the home win against Nottinghamshire.