Durham warmed up for the 2019 campaign with an emphatic 296-run win over Durham MCCU in their pre-season friendly at Emirates Riverside.

Beginning the day of 65-1, Gareth Harte quickly found his rhythm at the crease to pass 50. However, the partnership between the opener and Ross Greenwell was ended six runs short of a century stand.

Benedict Graves made the breakthrough to dismiss Greenwell for 31 as Jhatavedh Subramanyan claimed a simple catch on mid-on. Stuart Poynter joined Harte in the middle and was fluent, finding the boundary with regularity. The Ireland international made his half-century in 38 balls, scoring seven boundaries and a six.

Poynter was catching his team-mate at the other end with a brisk knock of 80, but he fell shortly after the 100-run partnership, being clean bowled by Adam Dewes. Harte kept plugging away and reached three figures from 180 deliveries by knocking a single down the ground. He finished his innings unbeaten on 108 as Durham declared on 237/3 before lunch.

Chris Rushworth struck immediately to remove Lewis Bedford with the first ball of Durham MCCU's innings. Nathan Rimmington, Ben Raine and Josh Coughlin joined Rushworth in the wicket column to leave the visitors 48-4.

Graves offered resistance with a half-century, but Rushworth and Rimmington returned to put Durham within sight of victory. Ryan Pringle wrapped up the innings, dismissing Xavier Owen and Jack Campbell, to see his side over the line.