Durham Men got their pre-season up and running with a two-day friendly against Sussex in Hove.
After an uncontested toss, Ryan Campbell’s side began with ball in hand and got off to the perfect start as Ben Raine struck with the first delivery of the game, Oli Carter leaving a ball hitting the top of off stump.
Tom Haines and Danial Ibrahim responded with a 95-run partnership for Sussex before James Minto found a thin edge from home skipper Haines on 60 in an economical bowling spell.
Ibrahim made 30 pre-lunch becoming the first of three batters to retire with Tom Alsop (30) and Tom Price (26) sharing a stand of 55 before both returned to the dressing room with the hosts on 157.
Raine grabbed his second wicket as Tom Clark edged behind to Ollie Robinson on seven- claiming figures of 2-25 in 13 overs.
Will Rhodes struck for Durham’s seventh having Danny Lamb caught by Matthew Potts for 26 with Sussex on 197. The hosts added a further 19 to close the opening day on 216/7, declaring overnight.
After a delayed start on day two due to the weather on the south coast, Alex Lees and Ben McKinney got some valuable time in the middle both passing 30 before retiring.
Emilio Gay and Rhodes arrived at the crease adding 53 in 17 overs either side of lunch, when a prolonged break took place due to strong winds at Hove.
Colin Ackermann and Graham Clark were the final pair to bat adding 19 together before the weather brought an early end to proceedings on the south coast.