Durham Cricket Academy play Eppleton at Emirates Riverside in the Dukes ECB North-East Regioanl Premier League and have Solomon Bell back in for Jack McCarthy and Haidar Shafiq returns.

Coach John Windows said: “Eppleton have made a good start and have put together a young team and we are looking forward to the game, but it will be tough as always.”

Chester-le-Street travel to second placed Benwell Hill and the Hill’s skipper Kyle Coetzer, who already has 320 runs to his name this season and is averaging 160, returns after his national commitments with Scotland and replaces Pete Halliday who is unavailable.

Coetzer said: “Other than that one change, the team should be the same as last week. All sections of the team are performing well and are much improved from last year. If this commitment continues, there should be no reason why the club should not be challenging for honours, at the business end of the season.”

John Coxon, the Cestrians skipper, said: “Andrew Bell is missing and looking back on last week’s game, South North did have the better of the game, but we fought hard and deserved the draw, especially with the bowling of Quentin Hughes and Jack Harrison.”

Hetton Lyons face a tough trip to leaders South North and the Bulls skipper Adam Cragg said: “Colin McLeod returns from international duties against Sri Lanka for Scotland.

“Other than that, the team should select itself after a splendid start to the season. Everybody is fine fettle, producing the goods. However, Hetton Lyons will provide a stern test this week, so complacency is not on the agenda.”

Stockton who are third bottom, play Whitburn who have one change, with Gary Burlinson unavailable, Paul Shields will replace him from the second team. Skipper Dan Quinan said: “We have played well recently and are confident going into the game and looking for a positive result.”

Consett host Tynedale in the Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League and chairman Alan Waters said: “Tynedale have had five wins out of their first five games. We did beat them last year, and after our win against neighbours Shotley Bridge a couple of weeks ago, we’ll be going into the game with confidence.

“We were disappointed that our game against Ponteland was called off, because of the weather last week, however it will be nice to play against the top of the table team.

“Sameer Haque will be back in the team and hopefully fit enough after injury and he will be in for John Stokoe and Sam Shaikh returns this week after injury.”

Tynedale secretary Tom Cant said: “Consett is another tough place to go to, as they’re a good team. We are doing well at the minute with five wins out of five, but are not getting carried away and are just taking each game as it comes. Dale Leadbitter is back in, so we’ll be at full strength.”

Leadgate welcome Lintz and the visiting skipper Gary Christie said: “It is important to try and get a victory against the teams around us. We are looking to get our first win away from home.’’

Nick Young is injured, and Johnny Foster is away, so Joe Bainbridge and Kevin Johnson return.

Shotley Bridge travel to Lanchester and Lewis Hall is replaced by Ian Heslop, second team captain.

In the Readers Durham Cricket League, Esh Winning host leaders Seaham Park and skipper Stuart Hall said: “They are a strong side and have had a good start to the season. We’re pretty much at full strength. So far we have been fairly disappointed, with some of the early games where we managed to draw, but not get the wins.

“We struggled to bowl a few teams out early doors, but we had our first win last Saturday. So, we are full of confidence. Michael Bussey will return to the second team and local lad Eddy Watson is coming back after being away playing for Hetton Lyons.”

Littletown host Durham City and head of cricket and club development Greg Arundel said: “We are hopeful of having some new additions to the team. In particular, we have a potential overseas player coming in, but he is yet to be confirmed. Generally, things are looking a bit more positive in terms of player availability.”

Philadelphia are at home to Easington and chairman Malcolm Pratt said: “We have wicket-keeper Gary Braithwaite returning and Matthew Noble makes way.

“We were disappointed with our game last week, it was the only one that didn’t start because of the rain. Our professional Zohaib Shera is pleased that the weather is set to improve. He has found conditions very difficult, going from 44 degrees in Pakistan to sometimes less than 10 degrees here!”