Duo rescue Durham after early woe

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE
Riverside, day one of four (close): Durham 144-3 v Surrey

Match scorecard

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Skipper Dale Benkenstein and youngster Mark Stoneman were Durham's saviours on a curtailed opening day against Surrey.

After a rain-hit start, Pedro Collins took two wickets to leave the home side in desperate trouble on 13-3.

But former England U19 opener Stoneman dug in to hit 58 off 164 deliveries and South African Benkenstein struck nine boundaries in his 58 off 110 balls.

Their partnership was worth 131 by stumps and represented a superb recovery after the uncertain start.

Stoneman will be particularly relieved after running out opening partner and fellow left-hander Michael Di Venuto in the day's first over.

Only 19 balls were bowled before rain prevented a resumption until 1530 BST, when Kyle Coetzer edged left-armer Collins to third slip, where Jimmy Ormond hung on by his left boot.

Neil McKenzie was lbw aiming to play Collins through mid-wicket but Benkenstein and Stoneman flourished as the weather improved.

Stoneman's best shots were perfectly-timed clips through square-leg but Benkenstein was not so secure.

He was troubled by the pace of lively teenager Chris Jordan and survived a good lbw shout from Collins late in the day.