Durham Cricket League: Horden need Kumar to fire in daunting challenge against Burnopfield

Houghton opening batsman Adam Thompson makes sure he is not stumped by Ryhope wicketkeeper Connor Pearson last week. Picture by Kevin Brady

They will be hoping overseas star Lal Kumar comes to the party on Saturday, something he is more than capable of doing, and they also have Sean Bradbury available again who slots into the vacancy left by the holidaying Liam Irvine.

There is likely to be an intriguing battle at Easington where Castle Eden are the visitors.

The hosts surprisingly remain second in the table despite two successive defeats, while the visitors current form is the polar opposite as they are on the rise following two consecutive victories.

With David Tarn unavailable again, Adam Maddison is set to make his seasonal debut for Easington, while Castle expect to be unchanged.

Durham City will be missing Ian Conn for the visit of Philadelphia but delay naming a replacement, while Phili will be looking to bounce back from the Burnopfield defeat, although they have to reckon without the services of both Gary Embleton (work) and Paul Hollingshead (holiday).

Alex Davison and Mark Emmerson are drafted in, the latter to make his seasonal first team debut after rising to the top of the club’s run scoring ranks with some fine second team displays.

Seaham Park will be going all out to make it three straight wins when they go to Bill Quay. Victories over Esh Winning and Hylton have banished memories of the two opening defeats, but they will be wary of a Quay team who turned the form book upside down last weekend with their win against Easington.

Youngster Morgan Hopkins has been called up, with Bradley Robinson away.