By Jon Steer
April 22 2003

Durham's first match of the season is against a team they haven't played a championship game against for three years. Somerset were relegated last season so are one of the teams to beat in division 2... Missing player start top of the concerns for Durham, with Love sunning himself in the carribean and Colly nursing his dislocated shoulder, what could have been a great batting line up will be under pressure. The bowling attack is missing two key players as well, new international signing Dewalt Pretorius is also on international duty with South Africa 'A' but returns in time for the next championship match. Mark Davies, bowler of the season last year has returned to training this week after worries concerning his lung condition. Javaghal Srinath will make his debut and should share the new ball with Steve Harmison, new signing Vince Wells will also be making his debut. Somerset haven't had the best of preparations either, they lost a nail biting match against Gloucestershire which finished yesterday. Somerset suffered partial batting collapses in both innings but came within just 9 runs of victory. They will no doubt be hoping to make amends this week... Somerset also have their own injury worries, Ian Blackwell injured a hand in the game and is unlikely to play against Durham. The last time we played a championship match down at Taunton the weather played the biggest part and the match finished a draw. The scorecard is the first in our past scores section and can be accessed here. This time the weather could follow a very similar pattern, the forecast is fine for tomorrow but rain is likely on thursday and friday with a full days play probable on the final day.