Durham rue run-out misery

Michael Di Venuto was run-out for just two against Lancashire at the Riverside

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Durham suffered the rare experience of having both openers run-out as they reached 142 for three in 40 overs before rain ended play on the first day of their LV County Championship match against Lancashire at Chester-le-Street.

Michael Di Venuto departed in the fourth over when he was stranded in mid-pitch after his straight drive rebounded off his opening partner, Mark Stoneman, towards extra cover.

Steven Croft’s pick up and throw gave Di Venuto no chance of getting back and he was run-out for the fifth time this season. His exit also continued his lean run following his pair at Basingstoke last week.

Durham reached 92 without further mishap against some uninspired bowling before Stoneman followed suit after an increasingly impressive 47 following a streaky start.

He had just pulled Oliver Newby for his ninth four when he drove to mid-off, where Glen Chapple parried the ball.

Stoneman set off to go back for a second run and was sent back by Will Smith, only to be beaten by a direct hit from Dominic Cork, who had come across from mid-on.

Durham’s good start faltered as only four runs were added before Shivnarine Chanderpaul departed for a duck, lbw when half-forward to Tom Smith.

Durham were delighted when the cancellation of the ICC Champions Trophy meant that the West Indies batsman could stay until the end of the season, but he has now totalled 135 runs in eight championship innings.

Lancashire again left out their overseas man, Lou Vincent, along with left-arm spinner Gary Keedy as they handed a championship debut to 20-year-old Bolton-born batsman Karl Brown.

Stuart Law won the toss and opted to field, but Chapple looked out of sorts and Stoneman twice edged fours just wide of wicketkeeper Luke Sutton as Cork’s opening over cost 19 runs.

Although Cork tightened up, against one of the counties who have shown an interest in him, Tom Smith was the pick of the bowlers.

Will Smith continued his excellent form for Durham, passing 50 for the fifth time since regaining his place in late May.

An on-drive off Chapple for his ninth four took him to 50 off 112 balls and he remained unbeaten on 59 with skipper Dale Benkenstein on 21.