Durham set C & G target for Harmison

The England paceman has started running as he recovers from his shin injury but the opening match in the 50-over competition, against Northamptonshire at Riverside next Monday, will come too soon for him.

A May 7 comeback would be too late for him to be considered for the first Test against Sri Lanka, starting four days later, so Durham hope to be able to play him in the four-day home game against Middlesex, starting on May 10.

He could also fit in another championship match at Trent Bridge the following week, which would end five days before the second Test.

Once Harmison's England commitments resume Durham are resigned to being without him for the rest of the season.

Simon Jones is back in action for Glamorgan and his fitness could dictate whether or not Durham's Liam Plunkett is selected for the first Test.

Plunkett and Paul Collingwood are available for next Monday's C & G match, when Mark Davies might also be considered.

Davies will continue his comeback from injury in the Durham A team's three-day fixture against Yorkshire at Stamford Bridge, starting today.

Although the 25-year-old seamer has recovered from the stress fracture of the back which kept him out for the last six weeks of last season, he needs to build his match fitness.

Durham want to see him get through 15 overs a day before considering him for County Championship duty.

Left-arm spinner Graeme Bridge is in the A team after acting as 12th man during Durham's sensational start to the season in last week's innings win at Canterbury.

Phil Mustard's finger injury will not keep him out of the home match Lancashire, starting tomorrow, and if Durham were to make a change it would be to bring in Australian seamer Mick Lewis. He remains doubtful with a buttock muscle injury, however.

DDurham A: J A Lowe, G M Scott, M D Stoneman, B W Harmison, D J Barrick, G T Park, G D Bridge, M L Turner, M Davies, L Evans, C Rushworth.