DURHAM’S one-day captain Dale Benkenstein has postponed his shoulder operation and could be available to play in the championship match against Somerset, starting at Taunton on Thursday.

After testing his shoulder in the nets on Sunday he played for the second XI yesterday in a one-day match against the MCC Young Cricketers at Brandon.

“I’m amazed how good the shoulder feels,” he said. “I’ve decided to delay the operation as long as possible because if I have it now I’ll be struggling to get back before the end of the season.”

Benkenstein’s left shoulder has been unstable for some time and he aggravated the problem when he dived in the field at the Oval three weeks ago.

He was due to have surgery ten days later but it was postponed when a test revealed he was harbouring a bug which might flare up and he was put on a course of antibiotics.

Durham’s physio, Nigel Kent, said: “Dale still needs an operation at some stage but it is hoped we can delay it until after the season. He will continue to do rehab and modify his diving technique throughout the rest of the season.”

Benkenstein is keen to play at Taunton after missing last season’s back-to-back championship games against Somerset, when Durham struggled without him.

They were dismissed for 125 in the home fixture but drew the rain-affected match, then lost the return by five wickets after reaching 265 for two in the first innings. They were all out for 384 then in the second innings collapsed from 69 for one to 167 all out with leftarm spinner George Dockrell taking six for 29.

The second XI are also playing the MCC YC in a three-day match starting today at Brandon from 11am.