DURHAM again gambled by putting the opposition in at Chester-le-Street and this time it paid dividends.

In the last home match Somerset made 610 for six, but Lancashire lost two wickets in the first five overs and were 86 for three at lunch with Paul Horton on 57.

There was a tinge of green in the pitch for the battle of the top two, explaining Durham’s decision to insert after winning the toss for the seventh time in eight games.

Their hopes of reuniting Steve Harmison and Graham Onions for the first time since August, 2009, were dashed by the back injury which afflicted Harmison at Edgbaston on Friday.

Skipper Glen Chapple returned for Lancashire, while Luke Proctor was preferred to Sajid Mahmood.

They would have been in dire trouble had an edge by Horton off Callum Thorp with his score on one gone to hand. Gordon Muchall got his fingertips to the ball low to his right at first slip.

There was certainly help for the seamers in the first half hour, but as the clouds disappeared in the blustery conditions batting became easier.

Stephen Moore fell to the 12th ball of the day, surprised by the bounce from Thorp and edging to Scott Borthwick at third slip for four.

It became nine for two when Keith Brown shaped to drive Onions and edged to Michael Di Venuto at second slip.

Mark Chilton dug in for 23 overs to make 12 before he edged Dale Benkenstein and the ball brushed Phil Mustard, who was standing up, before looping to first slip.