Di Venuto takes advantage of a Hoggard-free attack

DURHAM'S luck finally changed yesterday, when Michael Di Venuto amassed an unbeaten 184 after they won a crucial toss just before England decided they would not require Matthew Hoggard today.

While his Yorkshire colleagues began a long day in the field at Riverside, Hoggard was told to stay at Lord's until this morning's toss, after which he can embark on the long drive to play at Chester-le-Street.

With no-one else reaching 30, Di Venuto's dominance was reminiscent of early season last year, and the fact that three of the top six failed to make double figures will be a concern for Durham, despite a total of 337 for six.

Even on a good pitch, batting frailties persuaded them to do without a fourth seamer and retain Ben Harmison at No 7, which appeared to be just as well as he patiently kept Di Venuto company following the loss of two quick wickets after tea.

But after making 21 in 19 overs he fell eight overs from the close, when he was adjudged to have edged an attempted hook to give Tim Bresnan his third wicket.

Things could have been worse for Durham had Bresnan then held on to a sharp chance at third slip, offered by Paul Wiseman on two off Deon Kruis. But the New Zealander prospered to reach 21 at the close.

As well as taking his run-out tally to three during his brief reign as acting captain, Di Venuto lost both tosses after Dale Benkenstein had called incorrectly in the three previous games.

This time the coin came down correctly for the returning captain and he could have had no hesitation in batting against a side who, in addition to Hoggard, had pacemen Morne Morkel and Ajmal Shahzad ruled out by injury.

Yorkshire gave a debut to 19- year-old Sheffield-born seamer Ben Sanderson, but nominated him as the man to stand down once Hoggard arrives.

Continuing to prefer youth to the experience of 38-year-old Craig White, they also handed a championship debut to Whitby batsman Adam Lyth.

Coming on as first change, Sanderson bowled well enough in his first spell, but on his return in mid-afternoon he was no match for Di Venuto in full cry.

The Tasmanian scored 89 in the afternoon session, after which he was on 140 out of 239, of which 36 were extras.

He was initially matched by Mark Stoneman in an opening stand of 96, but Di Venuto began to forge ahead in the teens as Stoneman played and missed several times and was becalmed in the 20s. Neither had much difficulty against Kruis, who typified the modern obsession with bowling away swing to the right-handers.

Although the swing was often substantial, he lacked control and offered little variety, whereas Darren Gough did at least get the odd ball to leave the left-handed duo.

Di Venuto began to accelerate in the 14th over, when he followed a straight drive for four off Sanderson with a sliced drive which just cleared point.

His only scare thereafter came on 68, when a sharper fielder than Lyth might have held a knee-high catch to his right at backward point off Gough.

The Yorkshire captain then made way for Kruis, who was immediately pulled and cut for four as Di Venuto confirmed that his renowned back-foot play was in perfect working order, despite his lack of time at the crease.

Kyle Coetzer appeared intent on crease occupation after Stoneman fell for 27, edging Bresnan to Joe Sayers at third slip.

Coetzer launched his make-orbreak season last year with a more positive attitude and surprised a lot of people with his bold strokeplay. His lean start this time, however, has seen him retreat into his shell and after taking 36 balls to get off the mark he edged Bresnan to second slip five balls later. His two runs came courtesy of a drive off Gough, who should have stopped it.

Doubtless Coetzer would have been grateful for the edged two with which Neil McKenzie got off the mark. But it didn't help the South African, who fell for five when he pushed forward and edged Gough to wicketkeeper Gerard Brophy.

McKenzie has three championship innings left and three in the Friends Provident to make sure he is not remembered in the same vein as Scott Styris - for one good innings.

Benkenstein looked as solid as ever in reaching 29 at tea, but when the gentle medium pace of Anthony McGrath was introduced afterwards, the captain pulled the fourth ball straight to wide mid-on. Four overs later Mc- Grath struck again when Phil Mustard drove at an awayswinger well wide of off stump and edged to Brophy.

Similar deliveries were wisely ignored by Ben Harmison, who looked a little less assured against some accurate leg-spin from Adil Rashid and survived a couple of close lbw calls.

With Yorkshire content to give Di Venuto singles, runs dried up after tea until the opener cut Mc- Grath for his 23rd four to reach 150 off 225 balls. Durham will have no complaints if he carries his bat for the third time in just over a year, and helps them to maximum batting points.

Durham v Yorkshire At Riverside

Durham

M J Di Venuto not out ... 176

M D Stoneman c Sayers b Bresnan ...27

K J Coetzer c McGrath b Bresnan ... 2

N D McKenzie c Brophy b Gough ... 5

D M Benkenstein c A U Rashid b McGrath 29

P Mustard c Brophy b McGrath ... 6

B W Harmison c Brophy b Bresnan ... 21

P J Wiseman not out ...13

Extras (lb22 w2 nb16)...40

Total 6 wkts (92.2 overs)...319

Fall: 1-96 2-118 3-141 4-239 5-247 6-292

To Bat: G Onions, M Davies, S J Harmison.