Durham Cricket Academy journey to Eppleton in the Dukes North-East ECB Regional Premier League with a younger than normal side. It’s the same as last week with Johnny Pears, Tom Merryweather, Faizan Hussain, Bilal Baig and Cameron Fife, all starting.

Coach John Windows said: “We hope to be back on track after a draw at Newcastle. It will be a different surface, different circumstances, different tactics, which are helping this young team to continue to learn and progress, by adapting to all that’s thrown at them.”

Eppleton’s Director of Cricket John Smithson said: “We need to stay positive to maintain our good progress this year, resulting in us being at the top of the ‘mini league’ in mid table.”

Chester-le-Street entertain Benwell Hill at Ropery Lane and with Quintin Hughes back, but Stephen Cantwell is unlikely to play. Skipper John Coxon said: “We are still looking for a top three finish, so we will need to beat them.”

Hetton Lyons entertain leaders South Northumberland and Robert Talbot returns.

Top of the First Division billing is leaders Sacriston meeting second-placed Burnopfield. Skipper Martin Hubber is out and replaced by Graham Wright.

Burnopfield Secretary Graeme Allan said: “Everybody is in form, particularly the bowling outfit but the batting department needs a bit more consistency. The side does bat a long way down the order though, so it is always likely that one or two will make a significant contribution.”

Boldon, in fourth, entertain Gateshead Fell and nothing but a win, will do for the home side, to keep alive their outside chances of promotion. Currently they are 62 points behind the leaders, with only five matches remaining.

Second-placed Shotley Bridge travel to Percy Main in the Dukes ECB North-East Regional Premier League and Percy skipper Davey Anderson said: “It’s always hard going having top teams coming to you. Recently we’ve had Ashington, Swalwell and now Shotley Bridge, so it’s been a hard few weeks. We’re in a relegation battle. Hopefully we can take advantage of being at home and sneak in a few bonus points.”

Lanchester face bottom club Ponteland and fixture secretary Bob Gardiner said: “We had a magnificent victory at Shotley Bridge last week, and are hoping to carry that into this week.”

Leadgate welcome Ryton and visiting skipper David Howorth said: “It could be a tricky game against Leadgate, however we have just got to win. It’s a must win game, we are fourth from bottom and we’ve got to stay up. Neil Robinson and Chris Robb are out, so in come Ben Perry and Patrick Fordham.”

Readers Durham Cricket League League leaders Tudhoe journey to Littletown and chairman Steven Thexton said: “Coming off the back of a good win, hopefully we can get another 30 points win. Littletown have a couple of experienced bowlers, so hopefully we won’t lose too many early wickets to them.”

Castle Eden are in second and welcome Philadelphia, and the visitors have been delighted with the success of their recent junior summer school, which was spearheaded by Director of Performance Geoff Cook and professional Zohaib Shera.

Captain Shaun Smith has an unchanged side and said: “We still have a bit to play for in the remaining games and I want to finish as high as possible in the league.”

Durham City, in third, are just 15 points behind leaders Tudhoe and welcome Seaham Park, who are not quite out of the promotion race just yet, trailing the leaders by 26 points with five games to play. Esh Winning, in fourth, have skipper Stu Hall back from holiday, alongside Daniel Wilkinson and Simon Moralee, as they host struggling Bill Quay.

Horden travel to bottom club Dawdon and Secretary Adam Dixon said: “Dawdon are in the relegation zone at the moment, but they always present a strong challenge.”

Whiteleas entertain Easington and will be keen to make up some ground on the teams above them, having been beaten by the weather last Saturday. However, they face another tough test against Easington. Captain Owen Peterson makes one change, with David Arrowsmith replacing Andrew Davies.