DURHAM coach Jon Lewis has given skipper Paul Collingwood his blessing to play for a World X1 in three Twenty20 matches against Pakistan in Lahore.

The matches start on September 10 and Lewis said: “Although we've got four championship matches in the last month we have no game that week. So I've got no objections to him going.

“The assessment of the security situation has been going on for some time, but there are a few things to consider before Paul commits himself.”

Collingwood is one of 15 players from the top Test-playing countries invited to relaunch international cricket in Pakistan after an eight-year gap since the Sri Lanka team bus was bombed in Lahore.

Former England coach Andy Flower has selected the squad with South Africa's Hashim Amla expected to be captain.

Lewis suspects Durham's resumption at home to Derbyshire on Monday will be just too soon for Mark Wood, who is due to start bowling on Friday after recovering from his heel injury.

“If he comes through on Friday and Saturday it gives him a chance,” said Lewis. “He's optimistic and is keen to play, but it might be better to wait for the following week.

“We want to get some cricket into him to make him available for England's one-day series. It's been annoying for him but with a bruised heel it's important to wait until there's no discomfort at all, otherwise you're back to square one.”

Durham seconds were held up by former player Shivnarine Chanderpaul yesterday in their three-day game against Lancashire at Todmorden.

They reduced the hosts to 168 for nine in reply to 201, with James Weighell taking six wickets, but Chanderpaul then dominated a last-wicket stand of 88 and remained unbeaten on 103.

Opener Scott Steel top-scored with 42 for Durham, with first teamers Jack Burnham, Stuart Poynter and Graham Clark mustering one run between them.