Pratt the younger called up

After scoring 188 for England Under 19s against the West Indies last week, the left-hander is set to come into the side to face second division leaders Sussex.

He could take over at the top of the order from the disappointing Jimmy Daley, or he could fill in at No 4 if Durham decide to rest Paul Collingwood.

The all-rounder didn't bowl in the defeat by Hampshire because of a knee injury and Durham might save him for their Norwich Union League matches at Hove on Sunday and Cardiff on Monday.

Pratt, the younger brother of wicketkeeper Andrew, played in two championship matches last season and had a top score of 23.

He will be needed back at the Riverside next Tuesday for the third Under 19s Test against the West Indies, with England also wanting Nicky Peng back in the side.

Durham want Peng to play in all their games, so they are making plans to fly him back from Cardiff after next Monday's match.

While promotion in the NUL has now become the priority, coach Martyn Moxon still wants Durham to get out of the bottom two in the championship.

"Our four-day cricket has been disappointing," he said. "We were quite competitive in the first half of the season, but injuries have taken their toll.

"The positive side of that is that it has given Nicky Hatch and Graeme Bridge the chance to show what they can do, and Mark Davies has also done well.

"Hopefully the experience they have gained will make us a stronger unit next season.

"In one-day cricket we have played really well, but we need to see an improvement in the championship."

Davies has joined the ranks of those who are unlikely to play again this season after suffering a collapsed lung for the third time.

Michael Gough's back is also causing concern, while Neil Killeen is to have an operation to correct ankle ligament damage. Simon Brown had a minor knee operation last week and Nicky Phillips is making his comeback in this week's second team game at Old Trafford.