WINNING the toss rarely offers a big advantage these days and it would not have been a straightforward decision for Paul Collingwood when he inserted Yorkshire today.

The pitch looked quite green and there was heavy cloud cover, but if the Durham captain expected conditions to favour his bowlers he would be sorely disappointed.

Yorkshire reached 68 for one at lunch, the only clear chance in the first 90 minutes coming when Will Rhodes, on 24, edged John Hastings low to Gordon Mucall's right at third slip.

It wasn't costly as, without addition, he lost his off stump to Jamie Harrison when aiming to mid-wicket.

Left-armer Harrison was brought in for his first appearance of the season in place of Paul Coughlin, who has had a scan on an undisclosed injury.

He was fit enough to take the field when Scott Borthwick briefly went off.

Alex Lees survived 31 overs to reach 30 at lunch, with Jack Leaning on six.