THE justification for allowing two overseas players per county will be put to the test at Riverside today with the clash between two South Africans.

Paceman Dewald Pretorius makes his championship debut for Durham and will be locking horns with the exciting Jonty Rhodes.

The man once known as the world's best fielder has retired from Test cricket at the age of 33 after 52 appearances but remains the sort of player who can draw a crowd.

He made 128 in a rain-ruined draw at Northampton on Saturday, relying heavily on the sweep, which will make Durham wary of employing off-spinner Nicky Phillips against him.

Durham are inclined to play Phillips, however, as the pitch is firm and dry, and skipper Jon Lewis said: "It would be unfair to ask Michael Gough to provide our only spin.

"Neil Killeen bowled some good spells at Taunton and it will be unlucky for whoever has to stand down."

Killeen looks the most likely to make way for Pretorius, who impressed with four for 31 the day after his arrival in Sunday's National League win at Taunton.

Lewis will not be worrying about his side's over-rate when he adds Pretorius to an impressive pace battery, which he hopes will earn victories against Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, who visit Stockton in two weeks.

Durham were docked a quarter of a point for failing to bowl 16 overs an hour in their championship defeat at Taunton and Lewis said: "I wasn't particularly pleased about it.

"But I wouldn't let it affect selection or who I bowl in a match when the important thing is to try to win it.

"For the next two games we have three Test opening bowlers available to us and we have to make the most of that.

"I have had a chat with Nicky Hatch, Mark Davies and Ian Hunter and reassured them that this situation is not going to last, especially as I'm sure Stephen Harmison will be taken away from us by England."

With Javagal Srinath keen to do well against the county he played for in 1995, Durham hope to make quick inroads into a batting line-up which crumbled at the Riverside last season.

Gloucestershire were dismissed for 132 and followed on 338 behind, only for Jack Russell to deny Durham with a typically dogged innings of 78 not out.

Former New Zealand Test batsman Craig Spearman took two centuries off Durham at Bristol last season, but he fell cheaply in both innings at Riverside.

Lewis recalled: "We had him caught at short leg in the first innings, so that might be something we look at again.

"Javagal has played against him in a couple of Tests, so he has a few ideas about how to bowl at him."

With a highest first-class score of 43 for Western Province, Pretorius has no great pretensions as a batsman, so Durham's lengthy tail will put the onus on the top order to click into gear.

Durham (from): J J B Lewis (capt), M A Gough, G J Pratt, V J Wells, N Peng, D R Law, A Pratt, N C Phillips, J Srinath, D Pretorius, S J Harmison, N Killeen.

l Durham are offering free tickets for Scotland Saltires' debut in the National League at Riverside on Sunday. There will also be a free fridge magnet for the first 4,000 people through the gates.

The Universal KidZone will be open throughout the game, offering bouncy castles, face painting, a bats 'n' stumps game and cricket coaching.

Durham Dynamos will also be in action the following day when they take on Lancashire Lightning and information about tickets for both games is available on 0191 387 5151.