DALE Benkenstein faced a dilemma yesterday. Graham Onions had Hampshire by the throat at one for two, so should the Durham captain go for the jugular or do his bit to help a struggling international regain his form?

In an ideal world he could have achieved both simultaneously, but a nine-over opening spell did little to undo the harm which appears to have been inflicted on Liam Plunkett during his time with England.

By the end of it Hampshire were 51 for two and they went on to reach 160 for five on a day when 48 overs were lost to rain.

Durham's frustrations were eased during a profitable evening session, in which off-spinner Paul Wiseman took two of the three wickets to fall, including that of Yorkshireman Michael Lumb for 70.

It could have been even better had an edge by Nic Pothas off Ottis Gibson not reached Scott Styris at first slip on the half-volley.

Plunkett's first ball was well wide of off stump, the next flew down the leg side, and although there was some improvement he was certainly not the bowler who took eight wickets in the match against Kent at Riverside before going off on Test duty.

There were four maidens in his opening spell, but there were too many balls the batsmen could leave as they concentrated on survival.

When Plunkett returned for the 41st over with Lumb on 52 the left-hander twice worked him through the leg side for four in an over in which he was also beaten.

Plunkett's next over, to right-hander Chris Benham, was much better but he still had problems against Lumb and going round the wicket didn't help.

On what had been a pleasant morning play began on time and Shane Warne chose to bat, but only two balls had been bowled when rain arrived.

The players returned 45 minutes later and two balls later Onions had an lbw appeal against Michael Brown turned down before succeeding with the next delivery.

Only seven more balls were bowled before the rain returned and after an hour's downpour the mopping-up dictated that there was no resumption until 2.50.

Plunkett completed his unfinished over and with the first ball of the next Onions knocked out John Crawley's off stump, nipping it back to breach one of the soundest defences in county cricket.

As Durham had left out a batsman, Kyle Coetzer, to accommodate Plunkett they had plenty of seamers and must have fancied dismissing Hampshire cheaply.

But with Lumb joining Michael Carberry in a left-handed alliance, Onions struggled to maintain a testing line, often straying well wide of off stump.

Plunkett got past the bat a couple of times, but there was not enough pressure on the third-wicket pair and Lumb soon began to dominate.

Mark Davies replaced Onions for the 15th over and bowled tightly without really threatening.

It was Wiseman who ended the stand of 82 in the fifth over after tea. Carberry was bowled for 30 when trying to drive through mid-on and there were a few signs of turn for Wiseman, which bodes ill for Durham with Warne in the opposition.

Gibson returned and Benham, who had worked hard to get to 22 played across a full-length ball to be lbw.

Benkenstein turned to Wiseman with seven overs left and when Lumb tried to turn him to leg the ball straightened to have him lbw.

Pothas survived the half chance before he had scored to remain unbeaten on 15 at the close.