Di Venuto notched his first Twenty20 half century against Notts

Durham batsman Michael Di Venuto believes all-rounder Dale Benkenstein could be the key to unlocking Twenty20 Cup success for the county this season.

Benkenstein finished on 48no in the defeat of Nottinghamshire and Di Venuto would like to see the South African batting higher up the order.

"I'd be looking to get the old boy in a bit earlier," he told BBC Newcastle.

"He's just such a clean striker of the ball and the longer he bats and beds himself in he'll get a decent total."

The win over Nottinghamshire also marked Di Venuto's first half-century for Durham in Twenty20 cricket, making 55 in just 40 balls.

It was also Durham's first ever double over Nottinghamshire in the competition, and the Tasmanian is hopeful he and his team-mates can take that success into Tuesday's trip to Yorkshire at Headingley.

"We haven't been playing great Twenty20 cricket of late, the win against Nottinghamshire was an improvement but those points were hard earned," he said.

"We can go down to Yorkshire having played some decent cricket but there's plenty of room for improvement."

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