DURHAM have decided not to rush Steve Harmison back into first team action in the championship match at home to Somerset, starting today.

Despite his five-wicket haul on his comeback for the second team last week, Harmison has been unable to oust Ruel Brathwaite.

Injuries opened the door for the England-qualified West Indian and he has seized his chance by twice taking five wickets in two appearances.

The only change from the team which beat Warwickshire sees skipper Phil Mustard return in place of Michael Richardson after recovering from his inflamed toe.

Michael Di Venuto has shaken off the thigh strain he suffered just before completing his first innings century against Warwickshire.

Somerset have so far repeated last season's start, when they lost their first two games and were eventually denied the title by the narrowest of margins when Durham held them to a draw in the final match at Chester-le-Street.

Brathwaite made his debut as a triallist in that game in an attack which also featured Chris Rushworth, Liam Plunkett and Ben Harmison.

With Plunkett just returning to light training, none of that trio are involved today and Somerset will not relish facing Graham Onions. At the same stage of the season two years ago he took six for 31 as they were routed for 69 at Taunton, but they will hope a similar performance at home to Warwickshire this season has got the early wobbles out of their system.

They also have a few changes from last year's team, with their two signings from Gloucestershire, Steve Kirby and Gemaal Hussain, bolstering their attack.

They also have last winter's England Under 19 captain Lewis Gregory, a seam bowling all-rounder from Devon, in their squad.

He might have to make way for leg-spinner Max Waller, however, as Somerset have noted that Durham are playing two spinners.

Wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter has been in tremendous form with the bat for Somerset, scoring two centuries in the CB 40 League and one in the championship.

Durham: P Mustard (capt), M Di Venuto, W Smith, G Muchall, B Stokes, D Benkenstein, I Blackwell, S Borthwick, C Thorp, G Onions, R Brathwaite.

Somerset (from): M Trescothick (capt), A Suppiah, N Compton, J Hildreth, C Kieswetter, J Buttler, P Trego, L Grogory, G Hussain, S Kirby, C Willoughby, M Waller.