SOMERSET return to County Championship Division One action this morning with second-placed Durham the visitors to the Cooper Associates County Ground.

Matt Maynard’s side are currently fifth in the table, with 119 points from their 10 matches, two of which they have won, while Durham have 128 from nine games and three wins.

The hosts will welcome young opener Tom Abell – who has been missing with a lower back injury – into the side.

Looking ahead to the game skipper Chris Rogers said: “Durham are one of those teams that play together, enjoy being around each other and fight hard and almost play above themselves at times.

“They have some exceptional cricketers who we have to respect, so it is going to be another tough challenge for us and we have to play well again.

“There is a lot of talent in this side, and like Durham, I think that being such a remote side there is great little core group of guys who love being around each other and play for each other and hopefully we can continue with that.”

Abell, meanwhile, comes into the game on the back of his match-winning ton in the Royal London One-Day Cup win over Sussex last weekend.

“Tom was very impressive the other day,” said Rogers.

“He is a good fit for Johann Myburgh, who is struggling with an injury ,so we are fortunate to have some depth in our squad.”

Ahead of Durham’s visit, coach Maynard said: “It’s a big game and hopefully we will be playing on a wicket that will be good for all facets of the game.

“We have been really disciplined with the ball this year in the championship and hence we have put in some big performances.

“Chris Rogers is a very strong captain and has played a huge part in the way that we have performed in the championship this season.

“When we have bowled we have been very disciplined and Tim Groenewald is the silent figure who has led our attack in the absence of Alfonso Thomas and he has done a great job. Tim is relentless in the areas he bowls.

"We have asked Craig Overton to bowl a yard fuller than last year. He has been unlucky to have had several chances spilled off him and I think he has bowled better than he did last season, even though his figures may not show that.

"We all know Lewis Gregory’s capabilities and Jack Leach has done well so the bowling group has performed well for us, so we just need to continue playing the hard brand of cricket that we have been in the next game."

Somerset have named the following squad for the game: Marcus Trescothick, Tom Abell, Chris Rogers (c), James Hildreth, Jim Allenby, Pete Trego, Roelof van der Merwe, Lewis Gregory, Ryan Davies (wk), Craig Overton , Tim Groenewlad , Jack Leach and Josh Davey.