COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Riverside
Durham v Yorkshire
22-25 April (Play starts 1100 BST)
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY ONE: Durham 303-7(Durham 3pts, Yorkshire 2pts)

Blackwell was making his Championship debut for Durham

Ian Blackwell top scored with 95 on his Championship debut for Durham, who made a good start in defence of their title.

The former Somerset all-rounder shared a sixth-wicket stand of 107 with fellow hard-hitting left-hander Phil Mustard, who is still there overnight on 62.

Blackwell was eventually caught behind off Matthew Hoggard by keeper Gerard Brophy, who claimed five catches.

But, despite three wickets for Tim Bresnan, Blackwell helped Durham from 129-5 to 303-7 against Yorkshire.

He continued his brilliant start for the champions following his century against the MCC at Lord's a fortnight ago.

Under cloudless skies, it took the arrival of the second new ball to get rid of him.

Swinging more than the first, he shaped to drive Hoggard, almost losing his balance as he tried to readjust, only to give Brophy his fifth catch.

Michael Vaughan and Steve Harmison are the two under the selectors' microscope in this match. But, while 30-year-old Blackwell will have reminded them of his all-round ability, if 32-year-old Hoggard still hankers after an England return he did little to justify it in his opening spell.

He improved later to take wickets in the first over of both his second and third spells, but Bresnan proved the more potent weapon, claiming both openers in his 3-51 from 22 overs.

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