Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League: Darlington, who have a mountain to climb if they are to overtake leaders Redcar, have been dealt a "double-whammy" ahead of their game with Richmondshire.

Opening batsman Neil Pratt is ruled out with an injury to his groin and Simon Guy, who goes in at number three, is with Yorkshire.

"It does not help having two of your top three batsmen out at the same time, but we will just have to give it our best shot," said cricket co-ordinator John Edwardson.

"It is certainly going to be difficult, but we put a good run together during the second half of last season and only missed out on the championship on the last day. It is certainly still all to play for."

Darlington are now 36 points behind the leaders with three other teams between them.

Richmondshire are enjoying a reasonably successful season and currently occupy seventh position.

Professional Shanoka Dissanayake is capable of winning any game with both bat and ball and certainly Darlington will have to claim his wicket early if they are to profit.

Mark Layfield is back from injury, taking over from the unavailable Michael Platt.

Leaders Redcar meet Darlington RA at Brinkburn Road.

Although now in the bottom half of the table, RA have proved a difficult side to beat and captain David Eckels will be confident following his side's performance against Hetton Lyons in the prestigious Alan Muse Insurance Saunders Cup on Wednesday.

Redcar name the same side which emphatically defeated Northallerton last weekend while RA make a couple of alterations.

Peter Cartwright and Gary Thompson are named for Paul Robson and Neil I'Anson.

A close encounter is on the cards when Marske meet Saltburn in the seaside derby.

Following an indifferent start to the campaign, Marske's form is following the pattern of last season and they are now fourth, within striking distance of today's opponents.

The home side have Richie Reynard coming in for Shazad Ahmed while Saltburn, just nine points off the top, name an unchanged XI.

Despite winning three times, Normanby Hall are still bottom.

They have Blackhall as visitors and the Colliers will be without Gavin Watts, who is embarking on a world tour. David Mole is his substitute.

And if they repeat the form they have showed defeating Darlington last weekend, the Hall could be struggling to lift themselves off the basement.

Northallerton's batsmen have performed badly in recent games, twice failing to make three figures and they are now second from bottom following an encouraging start.

"It is very tight in the bottom half of the table and just one win could move us up quite a few places but obviously the batsmen have got to start scoring more runs," said secretary Ian Morton ahead of his side's game against Bishop Auckland.

Richard Chandler and John Sample resume but Peter Guy is sidelined and David Leng drops into the second team.

Hrishikesh Kanitker is in splendid form for Thornaby, who host championship hopefuls Guisborough. Although Thornaby are in danger of being sucked into the relegation zone, Guisborough know they will have their work cut out stopping Kanitker in full flow.

Guisborough though are on-song having taken 90 points out of the last 100.

"We had a bit of luck in that we were able to play and win our game at Richmondshire when the other six matches were all washed out but we are now right up there in contention, hoping to win the championship for the third successive year," enthused captain David Towse.

The paceman has just returned from a knee injury but despite the fact he was not fully fit still bowled unchanged for 25 overs last week, conceding only 49 runs.

Chris Murray for James Riley is Guisborough's only change at Thornaby.

Two recent victories have lifted Middlesbrough off the bottom and captain Martin Ball will be keen to add Hartlepool's scalp at Acklam Park. Mark Foster is home from holiday and is immediately lined up, with Jack Conway reverting to the seconds.

Hartlepool are seven points worse off than Boro and, third from the basement, need to add to their one solitary victory.

They cannot call upon Ollie Jones or Ian Jackson so Mattie Richardson and Izrann Hussein, who has impressed opening the bowling for the second XI, are drafted into the side.