Lancashire’s stand in captain Mark Chilton, deputising for the injured Glenn Chapple, won the toss and elected to field first on a surprisingly sunny day in Manchester. Di Venuto and Kyle Coetzer opened the batting with the latter becoming the first victim of the day when he was caught by Luke Sutton off the bowling of Sajid Mahmood for 10, leaving Durham 30-1 after 7.3 overs.
Durham ended the morning session 81-1 after 28 overs. Di Venuto 44* off 77 balls and Smith 20* off 68 balls.
Smith added 40 to the Durham total before he became Lancashire’s latest arrival, Daren Powell’s, first victim when he was caught by Prince at point in the 41st over – Durham 135-2.
The visitors were 148-3 in the 46th over once Gary Keedy claimed the wicket of Gordon Muchall, who was stumped by Sutton for 3.
Di Venuto century came off 146 balls including 14 fours. At tea Durham were180-3 (Di Venuto 103* and Benkenstein 15*). The centurion retired during the break and was replaced at the crease by Ben Stokes who confidently found the boundary within a few balls.
Benkenstein’s fifty came from 105 deliveries and included three fours and two huge sixes. He retired on 57 with Ian Blackwell the next in line to face the Lancashire attack.
Ben Stokes brought his fifty with a fourth boundary having faced 64 balls. He retired on 70, bringing Phil Mustard on to partner Blackwell.
Mustard hit a quickfire 34 off 24 balls which included five fours and a six before he was caught by Mahmood off Croft. Durham were 343-4 after 87.4 overs.
At the close of play Durham were 351 – 4 with Blackwell (22*) and Plunkett (1*) at the crease. Play resumes at 11.00am tomorrow (Friday 9 April).