TALK of a northern powerhouse is not far-fetched when it comes to cricket, as will be demonstrated in the match starting at the Emirates ICG tomorrow.

Durham won the LV County Championship two years ago, Yorkshire last season and, despite being without six England players, they currently lie first and second.

Yorkshire's clinical demolition of what should be a strong Nottinghamshire team this week underlined that they are becoming as dominant a force in England cricket as they were in the 1960s.

The difference is that the likes of Trueman, Close and Illingworth would be playing for them at every opportunity rather than swanning off on a pre-Ashes camp.

The current England squad leave for Spain today, taking Durham's Ben Stokes and Mark Wood plus Yorkshire's Joe Root, Adam Lyth, Gary Ballance and Liam Plunkett.

While that would appear to be to the greater detriment of Yorkshire, they have a greater depth of resources than Durham and can still turn out an outstanding all-round side.

Durham would be unable to cope with the loss of three batsmen of the calibre of Root, Lyth and Ballance, but Yorkshire have had no problems in filling the holes.

Jack Leaning has seized his opportunity by scoring three centuries this season, all-rounder Will Rhodes has filled in as a capable opening batsman, and Australian Aaron Finch will return to the middle order tomorrow.

Yorkshire are nine points behind with a game in hand. The fact that they are so close, despite two fewer wins, stems partly from being unbeaten and partly from Durham going four games without a batting bonus point.

Durham had to follow on in both last season's meetings, but managed to hang on for draws, something they have yet to record this season with six wins and two defeats.

Yorkshire spoiled the game at Riverside by batting beyond tea on the second day to amass 589 for eight.

They probably thought they were being ruthless, but they didn't leave themselves enough time to dismiss Durham twice.

Lyth scored centuries in both last year's meetings, while Andrew Gale made 124 and Jonny Bairstow 95 at Riverside.

Both have good records against Durham, for whom Michael Richardson tends to do well against Yorkshire.

Batting at No 8, he scored his maiden century in the match at Scarborough which virtually decided the title two years ago. Then after his promotion up the order he made 148 at Riverside and 95 at Headingley last year.

Richardson has a top score of 66 not out this season and with Calum MacLeod failing to nail down a place the middle order has not been as productive as hoped.

There is a gap to fill at No 7, where Ryan Pringle slotted in on what was expected to be a turning pitch at Arundel.

Although he broke Sussex's second innings resistance with the crucial wicket of century-maker Luke Wells, that was his only wicket and scores of five and 15 did not demand retention.

He could survive, however, on the basis of lack of competition. Durham want to give Graham Clark a chance and Jack Burnham is pressing his claims in the second team, but such a high-profile match is probably not the time to blood a youngster.

It would be good to think that the battle between leg-spinners Scott Borthwick and Adil Rashid will play a part, but the Riverside reality is that seam will dominate.

Onions, Rushworth, Hastings and Coughlin versus Sidebottom, Brooks, Bresnan and Patterson. Two from each side have played Test cricket, one from each side is close.

So there's not much to choose in that department, adding to the impression that it should be a cracking four days.

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