DURHAM'S three wicketkeepers are all in the frame to play first team cricket this season, coach Jon Lewis insisted after yesterday's washout against Somerset.

No play was possible on the last two days and Durham now face a long wait for their next action at home to Middlesex on Sunday week.

But Lewis has no plans to play any of this week's side in the second team to face Scotland in a three-day game at Emirates Riverside starting on Tuesday.

“There's nothing worse than getting left out of the first team at the start of the season then not getting a chance to prove yourself,” he said.

“The seconds have had no luck with the weather so far, so hopefully they will get in three full days against Scotland.”

Phil Mustard, who is having a benefit in the final year of his contract, has started the last two seasons as the four-day wicketkeeper, only for a lack of runs to see him hand over the gloves to Michael Richardson.

The third wicketkeeper, Stuart Poynter, made his senior debut against Sri Lanka A in 2014 but played no first team cricket last season.

“We have three keepers competing for the place and they can all compete for a spot purely as batsmen,” said Lewis.

“I haven't ruled Phil out of four-day cricket and Stuart has looked to improve with the bat. But Michael has earned the right to start. He scored a century against the University and kept well against Somerset.”

The other batsmen Durham have in reserve are Gordon Muchall, Calum MacLeod and Graham Clark, plus off-spinning all-rounder Adam Hickey.

With a place to be found in the second team for left-arm spinner Gurman Randhawa, that leaves four slots for seamers, including Mark Wood.

The intention is for the paceman to use the game to prove his fitness to face Middlesex, when his battle with Steve Finn for an England place will begin.

Jamie Harrison, Paul Coughlin, Barry McCarthy and James Weighell are competing for the other places.