DURHAM head coach Geoff Cook has called on his players to ensure their 'approach, preparation and attitude' is right as they return to CB40 action against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl tonight.

Cook’s side currently lead the County Championship, sit third in their CB40 group and have qualified for the quarter-finals of the Friends Life t20 next month – in which they will again face Hampshire Royals.

And, quite apart from the prospect of taking another step towards progressing in the CB40 competition, Cook is looking forward to getting the chance to run the rule over the Royals in advance of the sides’ forthcoming 20-over clash.

“Hampshire are a decent side and we come up against them in the 20-over competition in August,” he said.

“So to have the opportunity to see them at close-quarters, albeit in a 40-over game, has to be a good thing.

“The most important thing from our point of view is to make sure that we get our approach, preparation and attitude right tonight.

“We haven’t played a 40-over game since the end of May, and we need to adjust from the t20 game. But if we can get into some sort of form going forward, that can only be a good thing.”

Durham are currently third in CB40 Group B, two points behind leaders Surrey, who they were due to play last Sunday at the Emirates Durham ICG.

But that game was abandoned due to heavy rain without a ball being bowled and, while Cook was understandably disappointed at the lack of cricket, he says the weather actually worked in Durham’s favour.

“It was very disappointing not to get our game against Surrey under way,” Cook said.

“But, as far as the league is concerned, it ended up helping us because Northampton [who are second in Group B] lost against Scotland, so we gained a point on them.”