GARETH Breese and Graham Onions had to wait 24 hours for their championship debuts when the opening day of Durham's match at Derby was washed out.

With the sun threatening to break through in early afternoon, it was announced that play would begin at 3pm.

But at 2.50 the rain returned just after Durham had lost the toss and named a side with three changes. Gordon Muchall was left out after totalling 36 runs in six first-class innings this season, giving Breese the chance to build on his promising debut in Sunday's totesport League win against Nottinghamshire.

Ian Pattison was handed the all-rounder's slot created by Gavin Hamilton's thumb injury, while Onions was preferred to Neil Killeen as the replacement for Reon King. It will be Pattison's first appearance since he was injured in his first senior outing last season, when he was looking the part against Yorkshire at Headingley. He went in with the score at 51 for four and contributed 62 to a stand of 132 with Jon Lewis, and had then taken one for seven in 5.4 overs when he suffered a shoulder injury which kept him out for the rest of the season.

With more showers forecast today, it promises to be a frustrating few days for Durham against a county they are desperate to beat after losing their first two games.

On paper, Derbyshire are the weakest team in the competition and they already have four seamers sidelined, including Mohammad Ali with a side strain.

That leaves a big burden on the shoulders of Kevin Dean and Graeme Welch, supported by 18-year-old Nick Walker. Batsman James Bryant is also injured and Australian all-rounder Jon Moss will not arrive until Sunday.

Durham were also frustrated at Derby last season when they scored 501 for eight declared only to have the third day washed out.

It is a ground where Nicky Peng does well, having scored 94, 108 and 99 on his last three championship visits and he will welcome the chance to build on his good start this season.

Read more about Durham County Cricket Club here.