Philadelphia seeking third successive win on the bounce
In the Dukes ECB North East Division One, Philadelphia are due to travel to secondplaced Ashington.
The visitors will be buoyed by two wins in their last two games and are looking to avenge an early-season defeat.
They will be hoping for another five-star performance from Indian professional Mayank Mishra who, last week, turned in matchwinning figures of 5-20 in 14.5 overs.
Chairman Malcolm Pratt said: “Mayank has quickly settled in and this is his first time in the country but, already, he has taken eight wickets for just 39 runs in three league matches.
"In last week's cup tie against Shotley Bridge, he conceded just five runs in four overs, taking three wickets, so you can't ask for better than that.”
Pratt added: “A doubt exists over the availability of Steven Wright, who missed last Saturday's game with a leg injury. If he is still unfit, it's likely the Bunker Hill side will be unchanged.”
Willington hold a 13-point lead at the top as they journey to Lanchester, who won for the first time last week.
Manager Karl Brown said: “After a hard-fought win against Newcastle last week, we face Lanchester for the second time this season.
"There are a couple of changes, as wicketkeeper Lachlan Marron returns to the side and bowler Lewis O'Donnell is unavailable.”
Brown added: “There will be a late fitness test on Calvin Stephenson and Charlie Coulthard will be on standby.
"Although confidence is high, the team go into the game knowing their hosts can provide a stiff test, and so are not taking anything for granted.”
Lanchester skipper Greg Patterson said: “We have an unchanged team from last weekend, after a long awaited first win.
"Willington will provide a tough test on what should be a belting wicket down at Ashley Park.”
Castle Eden are up to third and face fourth-placed Newcastle at home.
Skipper Jonathan Malkin said: “We have one change, as Phil Wimpenny comes in for Christopher Freeman.
"It was a great result last week and we are hoping to continue it this week.”
Visiting director of cricket, Phil Hudson, said: “We look to bounce back from Saturday’s narrow defeat to Willington but are waiting on Liam Trevaskis’ availability before naming a final team.
"Ben Mussett is sure to come back into the team after missing last weekend.”
Sunderland need a win to get back into the pack and they face Gateshead Fell at Ashbrooke.
"Skipper Greg Applegarth said: “We are a fullstrength team this week, with Shahbaz, Tahir and Sharif all set to return.”
Ashington skipper Sean McCafferty said: “Following a great win last Saturday, the lads are full of confidence and, hopefully, we can build upon our solid start to the league against Phili.”
In the other two games, Crook, who have slipped in recent weeks and languish in third bottom, take on Shotley Bridge ,a point above them, while Boldon, who are without a win this season, travel to Blaydon.
In the Dukes ECB North East Premier League, second-placed Chester-le-Street welcome Eppleton to Ropery Lane.
Skipper John Coxon said: “We had a great game against Benwell Hill last week. All results were possible in the last over and we were disappointed not to get over the line, but credit to Benwell Hill, who bowled excellently and made it difficult throughout.”
Coxon added: “This week, we are likely to be missing Jack Harrison and that will allow Sebastian Hughes Pinan a league debut, following his good displays in the second team so far this season.
"We have had a really good start to the season and will be working very hard to keep it going.”
Burnmoor, in third place, take on Burnopfield at the Village Ground and skipper Alec Linsley said: “No changes this week, as we are able to select from a full squad again.
"The lads will feel they have a point to prove after we lost the reverse fixture earlier in the season, so they will be fired up for another tough test against a very good young side.
"Hopefully, we can get the win to keep our title challenge alive.”
Washington, without a win in the campaign so far, take on Tynemouth at The Harraton Cricket Ground. Skipper Joe Thompson said: “We will have Ash Thorpe and Chris Hooker available and will look to build on a promising result last week.
"Our batting has been very fragile so far this season, so it was nice to see us battle hard to come away from South North with a draw.”
Thompson added: “We now have to build on that and start putting good performances in on a regular basis, starting this week against Tynemouth.”
South Northumberland hold a narrow one-point lead at the top and they welcome Whitburn to Roseworth Terrace.
Visiting skipper Paul Shields said: “We are awaiting confirmation of our team as we have a few injuries, which means we have had to delay our team selection, probably until the morning of the match.”
In the other two games, Hetton Lyons, who are 21 points above the drop zone, take on Benwell Hill at their Lilywhite Terrace ground.
Felling, in fourth position and only 24 points behind leaders South North, host struggling Sacriston at High Heworth Lane.