Sunderland skipper Greg geared up for Eppleton trip
for a more resolute performance from the batsmen, who struggled against a very good Sunderland team last weekend, when only Tom Raine caused the bowlers much concern.”
Visiting captain Alec Linsley said: “We go into the game with two changes. Kevin Ward is back from his holidays and comes in for his debut, following his winter signing from Thornaby.
"Ross Hodgson is also included, while Riley Blunt and McKenzie Wright miss out, as they look to get some time in the middle for the seconds.”
Linsley added: “This is the first time we’ve played Philadelphia in the NEPL. It is a local derby from our old DSCL days, so we are looking forward to locking horns.
"We go in to the game following a comprehensive victory over Castle Eden, and the boys will be confident that they can keep up the winning start to the season.”
Whitburn travel to Castle Eden and skipper Paul Shields said: “We’re looking forward to travelling to Castle Eden, it’s been several years since we played there, and we always got a good welcome.”
Shields added: “We go into the game in good form following our hard-fought victory last week. It was very much a team performance with lots of people chipping in which was good to see.
"Luke Smith definitely misses out with work commitments and the selection committee have a tough choice after several good performances last week in the second team, from several players.”
Hetton Lyons won their opening fixture, and will host Boldon at their Lilywhite Terrace Ground.
Fixture secretary Gary Adey said: “We’re unchanged and will hope to build on last week’s win. Boldon will be tough opposition, so it should be a good game.” In the
Washington won their opening game and now host Lanchester.
Captain Joe Thompson said: “We’ll hopefully be unchanged from last week.
"We will be looking for a better performance, as we were not at our best, but we won which was the main thing.
"We know we will need to be better to beat a Lanchester team, which are unknown to us and we look forward to welcoming them to our place.”
On Sunday Chester-LeStreet host the Durham Cricket Academy at Ropery Lane, and the Academy have won both of their opening games.
Cestrians skipper John Coxon said: “We had a really good first win last week, with Jake McCann and Quentin Hughes showing great skill and fitness, to put on an excellent partnership in difficult conditions.”
“It was also good to see Josh O’Brien and Robbie Dawson show their promise for the future, with some good batting at the end of the innings.
"Everyone chipped in with the ball to make it really tough for Sacriston - in particular, Quentin Hughes who was excellent.”
“This weekend it’s the Durham Academy and we will have George Harrison coming back in, and hopefully Jack Campbell will make his return after a year away.
"Andrew Bell is out for the foreseeable future, as he is undergoing surgery.”
In the
Silksworth travel to Bill Quay and captain Andy Barrass said: “Looks like we have a full squad to choose from (with the exception of Ben Lobban), so team selection will be tricky.
"Looking forward to the game at the weekend. We have had two tough games so far and we’ve done okay, and we are expecting this to be another tough one.”
South Shields have won both their opening games and head the group, going into their game at Dawdon.
Skipper Anth Marshall said: “Alex Thompson our (U15 and U18 opening bowler), is in for injured Chris Nichol who pulled a hamstring in warm up last week.
"Alex is a promising young bowler who has earned his chance to make his first team debut.
"He is another product of the South Shields Junior Section and, again, all eleven players in the 1st XI have come through the club’s juniors.”
Ryhope host Boldon CA and chairman Ian Lawrence said: “We are strengthened by the return of skipper Luke Anderson, with Paul Jenkin, and Connor Pearson also return after being unavailable last week, Ed Smith also returns after injury, but Dan Blackman is unavailable this week.”
Seaham Harbour entertain Hylton and the visitors have won their opening two games.
Captain Stewart Pattison said: “U15 player Regan Pattison returns to the side, with Nathan Corkhill unavailable. Another U15 player Logan Gustard retains his place after impressing last week.”