DURHAM return to Twenty20 action at Worcester this evening after a week off in which assessment of their priorities for the second half of the season have focused on the championship.

Although victory in all four of their remaining T20 group games might earn quarterfinal qualification if other results went their way, all that is likely to be at stake tonight is the northern group’s wooden spoon.

Durham have won three of their first eight championship games and of the eight which remain they still have to play Lancashire and Somerset twice each.

Those are the two teams immediately above them in the table, while the leaders, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire, both have to visit the Emirates Durham ICG.

After losing at Trent Bridge in May, Durham were 55 points behind Nottinghamshire, but last week’s championship win against Warwickshire cut the deficit to 19 points, although the leaders had a game in hand.

Durham coach Geoff Cook said: “Looking at the table, retaining our title is still a realistic target. But we have been inconsistent in all forms of cricket this season and the first target is to string consistent performances together.”

Durham are still hopeful that Graham Onions will be fit for the last three games, starting with the visit of Nottinghamshire on August 31.

He is keen to play in those matches to press his claims for an Ashes tour place this winter.