ALL it needed was some sunshine. Durham won the toss at Taunton today and reached 128 without loss at lunch, suggesting that Steve Harmison, Liam Plunkett and Jamie Harrison will have to wait until tomorrow for some action.

The pitch had a tinge of green, but Durham were deceived by that last year, when they put Somerset in and paid a heavy price.

Phil Mustard would have had no hesitation in batting this time, especially as Somerset were without Vernon Philander, who has gone back to South Africa.

They gambled by bringing in Alfonso Thomas, who arrived back from his largely idle IPL stint with Pune Warriors yesterday. He looked rusty, although he did create the one chance of the morning when Michael Di Venuto edged a drive to second slip.

Peter Trego put it down with the left-hander on 38 and he was twice beaten on 44 by Craig Overton. Otherwise Di Venuto was in commanding form, reaching a 53-ball half-century with a pulled six off Thomas.

It was the first championship 50 of the season by one of Durham’s top six and Will Smith was also not far short on 46 at lunch, with Di Venuto on 80.

Under cloudless skies play began an hour late because of the Olympic torch’s visit to Taunton. It was carried for a short distance by Marcus Trescothick, despite the ankle operation which has ruled him out of cricket for two months.