After a significantly weather affected start to the Durham Cricket League season Mainsforth get the chance to make a statement in the promotion race today when they entertain Durham City in a game that should coincide with the unveiling of their new facilities.

Both teams are unbeaten, but both have won just once with rain a factor in their three draws, but it’s unlike that replacement professional Faisal Iqbal will arrive in time to play. If the paperwork gets sorted the Pakistani would be quite an acquisition, the international having scored centuries in both Tests and ODI’s. The hosts make one enforced change with Brady Smith in for Robert Chisholm.

Esh Winning’s David Lawlor was out lbw on 99 last week, continuing a remarkable sequence for the free-scoring skipper as it was the 19th time since his last century that he was dismissed in the 80s or 90s.

With MCC young cricketer Mohammed Abid likely to be tied up at the Lord’s Test Match, and the new Bangladeshi pro not yet arrived, Esh bring in Shaun Walker for the trip to Hylton where their hosts have Marlon Black, Gary Frater, Stephen Lee Merrington and John Stokoe all back.

Leaders Dawdon are at full-strength with the return of Richard Ede at Crook, while second-placed Easington name an unchanged side for the derby against Horden who hope to have Shaun Bradbury back again after a fractured finger.

Just two teams remain unbeaten after five rounds of matches in the NTSL, with Swalwell leading the way from Shotley Bridge, the two separated by eight points.

Swalwell travel to Alnmouth today where their hosts have continued to make solid progress after successive promotions took them out of the Northumberland League, straight through Division A2, and consolidation in the top flight last year. They are now up to fourth and welcome back Ed White and Ed Brunton who have completed exams. The leaders bring in Dickie Shotton for James Welch.

The Bridge are also travelling north –at Ashington, who name an unchanged side from that which lost heavily to Swalwell last week. Graham Angus is back for Shotley, but the influential Stuart Graham is missing. The availability of Durham’s Ryan Pringle will determine whether Stefan Dabrowski plays or not.

Durham Cricket Board are running a free women and girls introductory soft ball cricket session on Sunday 10am - 12noon at the Emirates Durham ICG. The session is aimed at getting new players into the game, however women and girls who already play are more than welcome. For more details contact Cole Pearce on 07817 637415.