DURHAM coach Jon Lewis has been on the phone to John Hastings to ask for advice about how to remove Somerset's new captain, Chris Rogers.

The former Australia Test batsman will be representing his fifth county when he arrives at Emirates Riverside tomorrow for the opening Specsavers County Championship match.

Although he enjoyed an excellent Ashes series last summer before retiring from international cricket, the 38-year-old left-hander posed no problems for Durham when playing for Middlesex two years ago.

He scored one in both innings at Riverside, and four and eight at Lord's, with Hastings removing him twice.

“John has given us some good advice,” said Lewis, who will be keeping in touch with Hastings in case Durham want him to return in late season when he has recovered from shoulder surgery.

“He is delighted to have been given a central contract at 29, but it means he will have to do as Australia say.”

The work of the Durham groundstaff means Lewis is not unduly worried about the new rule allowing visiting teams to decide to bowl without the need of a toss.

“Teams will be tempted to bowl here, but I'm quite happy with that,” he said. “Our practice pitches and the one for the University match have been good, even if they haven't had much pace.

“Our next match is at home to Middlesex and Angus Fraser emailed me as soon as the new rule was announced in January to say they would bowl.

“The rule has been brought in to encourage better pitches. But there was a directive that groundsmen should produce the best pitch possible, so if that wasn't being done why were there no points deductions?”

While Durham will be without Mark Wood, and will probably hand a championship debut to Brydon Carse, Somerset are without the Overton twins. Craig is suspended, Jamie has a hamstring injury, and they no longer have Alfonso Thomas. So a seam attack relying heavily on Lewis Gregory could also feature Scotsman Josh Davey.

Marcus Trescothick is expected to open with highly-rated local youngster Tom Abell, with Rogers at three.

Trescothick and Kent's Darren Stevens are the only current county players older than Durham skipper Paul Collingwood, who will be 40 next month.

His return after missing the University match will be at the expense of either Jack Burnham or Gordon Muchall.

“Jack struck the ball hard against the students and he has had a good winter,” said Lewis. “Having him at the top of the order would not be ideal, so it will be a middle order slot for him or Gordon.”

Durham (from): P D Collingwood (capt), M D Stoneman, K K Jennings, S G Borthwick, M J Richardson, J T A Burnham, G J Muchall, R D Pringle, U Arshad, B A Carse, C Rushworth, G Onions.