STEVE HARMISON will begin his build-up for what he hopes will be a repeat of the 2005 Ashes triumph at Durham University’s Racecourse ground today.

The paceman is in the Durham squad to play the students in the three-day fixture after his request to play was granted by the England hierarchy.

Under his central contract he was originally told to rest until the championship programme opens against Yorkshire at Riverside next Wednesday, but he has also been cleared to play in Sunday’s Friends Provident Trophy tie at home to the Tykes.

Durham coach Geoff Cook said: “Steve wants to get in as many overs as he can before the provisional Test squad is announced next week. If he bowls anything like he can that’s going to be good for us.

“But selection for the university match is tricky. Our first-choice players have to get more cricket in, so there will be no opportunity for untried lads.

“Although we went away and played some cricket in South Africa, we could have done with playing a lot more at Lord’s. We also have to think about the one-day side with the Friends Provident starting on Sunday. People like Neil Killeen, Gareth Breese and Ben Harmison could do with a game.”

The university were blessed with fine weather for the three-day game against Lancashire at the Racecourse, which ended on Monday.

The visitors scored 404 for six and 183 for four, with Paul Horton and ex-Durham student Mark Chilton scoring centuries in the first innings, while seamer Tom Smith was promoted from No 9 to open in the second innings and made 104 not out.

The students were all out for 118 and 183, but will be strengthened today by the return of skipper Tom Westley, who played for the MCC against Durham last week.

Making his first-class debut for the students against Lancashire was opening batsman Jamie Atkinson, the son of Steve Atkinson, who opened for Durham in the Minor Counties Championship for many years before emigrating to Hong Kong.

Jamie made 16 in the first innings and was run o