DURHAM face a tricky test at Bristol today against a Gloucestershire side who have nipped ahead of them into third place in Group A of the Royal London Cup.

While Durham have lost their last two games at home to the top two, Surrey and Yorkshire, the hosts have won their last three by the skin of their teeth.

Jack Taylor, an off-spinning all-rounder from Banbury, has been prominent at the death, smashing three sixes in an over against Derbyshire before being required to hit the final ball for six.

He was caught, but a no-ball was signalled for having too many men on the leg side. The batsmen crossed and Benny Howell drove the extra ball for the winning four.

Three overseas men have also played big parts in Australian Michael Klinger, South African batsman Gareth Roderick and New Zealand all-rounder Kieran Noema-Barnett.

Klinger, a Victoria team-mate of John Hastings, is the Gloucestershire captain and scored his sixth century in all competitions this season in Sunday's three-wicket win against Somerset, achieved with two balls to spare.

Roderick, who has a British passport, scored a century in the one-run against Leicestershire at Grace Road, where former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones made 87.

Durham have batted better away from home in this competition and will hope to get back on track against an attack which does not appear to carry a great threat, although Craig Miles is reported to be quick.

Durham move on to Grace Road on Thursday and from there straight to Scarborough for the championship match starting the following day.

As two wins from three should be enough to secure progress victory today would allow them to consider resting one or more bowlers against Leicestershire in this demanding schedule.

Their final Royal London Cup tie is at home to Derbyshire on Monday week.

Durham (from): M D Stoneman (capt), P Mustard, S G Borthwick, G Clark, P D Collingwood, G J Muchall, R D Pringle, J W Hastings, K K Jennings, U Arshad, C Rushworth, J Harrison, C S MacLeod.