WESTERN AUSTRALIA opening batsman Nick Hobson yesterday strengthened his claim to replace the departing Mark Stoneman in the Durham squad next season.

The 21-year-old left-hander from Perth, who has been playing for Newcastle in the North East Premier League, scored his third century in just over a week for Durham seconds away to Leicestershire.

After his unbeaten 125 in the one-day match against Northants last week he followed up with 134 in the Second XI Championship clash and added 101 yesterday at Desborough Town CC.

With Phil Mustard having joined Gloucestershire on loan for the rest of the season, Stoneman retains his place for Durham's Royal London Cup tie against Warwickshire at South Northumberland, which starts at noon today.

But he will relinquish the one-day captaincy to Paul Collingwood, who returns after injury and has confirmed he will play on next season.

There were contrasting statements from the pair on a busy day for Durham yesterday, with Stoneman saying he was joining Surrey to further his England ambitions.

Collingwood countered with: “I am so proud and happy to be still playing for my home county, who have given me the perfect environment to fulfil all my cricketing dreams.”

Stoneman, who turned down a new two-year contract with Durham, may well find that his ambitions are stymied if Surrey are relegated.

They have doubtless been able to offer him more money, while another factor is that he will be playing under the coaching of his former Durham opening partner Michael Di Venuto.

“Joining Surrey under the guidance of my long-time mentor and Alec Stewart will provide the platform to reach new levels with my batting,” said 29-year-old Stoneman.

“My desire to play for England is as strong as ever and I feel now is the time to accept a new challenge in an environment which will hopefully see me fulfil the dream.”

Stoneman made 93 in the first match in the 50-over cup at Grace Road on June 7, but has not had a half-century in any form of cricket since, despite plenty of good starts.

Despite climbing into second place in the Specsavers County Championship with last Tuesday's superb win at Southport, Durham have since seemed out of sorts in the three one-day games.

With Scott Borthwick and Keaton Jennings, as well as Stoneman and Mustard, being targets for other counties it will now be up to Collingwood to overcome the unsettling effect of transfer speculation.

“I feel I can continue to contribute to the team and I really want to help develop the next generation of Durham cricketers,” said the 40-year-old captain.

“I know this club has so much to offer English cricket and I continue to be excited by the young talent coming through.”

Mark Wood has not been made available for today's game, but could play in the final NatWest T20 Blast match at home to Derbyshire on Friday.

Durham can still scrape through in that competition if they win and Warwickshire lose at Old Trafford, but they also need to win today to retain interest in the 50-over event.

They beat Warwickshire at South North two years ago before going on to beat them again in the final, but the visitors are currently showing the better form.

Whereas Durham lost by 170 runs at Northampton on Sunday, Warwickshire comfortably beat Northants at Edgbaston yesterday.

The fact that they had to travel up after the game is the reason for today's late start.

Durham have added Ireland wicketkeeper Stuart Poynter to the squad but have delayed a decision on whether he or Michael Richardson will don the gloves.

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