MIDDLESEX didn't fancy fielding in Arctic conditions at Emirates Riverside and after winning the toss they progressed to 111 for two against Durham at lunch.

Left-hander Nick Gubbins warmed to his task with a fluent innings of 60, while Sam Robson contributed 26 to an opening stand of 58.

Both survived a lively spell from Ben Stokes, who came on for the tenth over and began with a maiden in his first appearance since the World T20 final.

He replaced Usman Arshad in the Durham team, which meant South Africa-born paceman Brydon Carse was retained and he made the breakthrough.

After hitting the previous two balls for four, Robson had his off and middle stumps splattered by one which nipped back.

Although quick, Carse continued to prove expensive and Gubbins cut and pulled him for three successive fours in passing 50 off 67 balls.

Carse had conceded 41 in six overs when Graham Onions returned and after driving him wide of mid-off for four Gubbins got carried away and self-destructed.

He tried to pull a ball from off stump which wasn't short enough for the shot and fell lbw.

Nick Compton was on 13 at lunch with Dawid Malan on five.