DURHAM begin five days of cricket at the Oval today, starting with a floodlit YB 40 match against opponents who opened their campaign by thrashing holders Hampshire.

Under the captaincy of South Africa skipper Graeme Smith, Surrey are hotly tipped to prosper in all competitions this season, but have had to settle for draws in their opening three championship matches.

The manner of Monday’s win against Hampshire, however, is a warning to Durham to expect some fireworks as Smith and Steven Davies shared an opening stand of 162 in 20.3 overs.

Davies was unbeaten on 127 when the nine-wicket win was secured with 8.4 overs to spare after 21-year-old left-arm spinner Zafar Ansari took four for 48 in dismissing Hampshire for 228.

Despite their battery of seamers, Surrey fielded three spinners, just as Durham and Lancashire did at Old Trafford.

Durham are unlikely to repeat that, although they have taken 19-year-old off-spinning all-rounder Ryan Buckley along for the experience. A product of Darlington’s Hummersknott Academy, he has been named in the squad for the championship match starting tomorrow.

Buckley is in his third year in the academy and the fact that he is registered with the ECB to play first-class cricket is an indication that Durham think highly of him.

Mitch Claydon is in today’s squad and the only change from the win at Old Trafford is likely to see him replace Ryan Pringle.

Durham were also in the same group as Surrey last season and after losing by 60 runs at the Oval they won by 142 at home after Phil Mustard hit the county’s second highest one-day league score of 143.

Surrey are at full-strength, while Durham are without Graham Onions because of England Lions duty over the next four days.

His place tomorrow will go to Callum Thorp, who made way for Mark Wood in the win at Trent Bridge last week.

Following Surrey’s promotion in 2011, Durham’s first championship visit to the Oval since 2007 in late April last year was totally washed out.

It was the first time that had happened in an away match in 21 seasons of first-class cricket.