Durham will open their season tomorrow without four-day skipper Phil Mustard, who is battling to be fit for the County Championship match away to Hampshire, starting on Friday.

The wicketkeeper suffered a stress fracture in a foot six weeks ago and had to wear a protective boot until midway through the club's trip to Dubai last week.

Mustard's deputy, South Africa-born Michael Richardson, deputised on tour and will continue behind the stumps in the three-day match against Durham University at the Racecourse ground. If he is also required against Hampshire it will be his championship debut.

Graham Onions is not yet considered ready for competitive action following his back operation, while Mark Davies has a foot injury and new signing Ruel Brathwaite strained a hamstring on tour.

Highly-rated left-arm seamer Jamie Harrison, a Sedbergh School product who has been handed a development contract by the club, is in the squad to face the students. Also named is Ashington-born academy boy Mark Wood.

Durham (from): D M Benkenstein (capt), M D Stoneman, G J Muchall, S G Borthwick, B A Stokes, I D Blackwell, M A Richardson, C Rushworth, L E Plunkett, M E Claydon, M A Wood, J Harrison.