The toss was taken early in the day, which Durham won, so when play does get underway the attack will be looking to clean up the wickets quickly.
A small break in the rain in the early afternoon gave some hope, but just as the final sheet was being folded away the heavens opened again!
The Northern Echo and The Journal used the rain break as an opportunity to catch up with Michael Di Venuto, take a peek at some of his quotes here!
“I had some time out in the middle against Yorkshire in the friendly, although I wish I’d scored those runs in our game against Notts. Having said that, it didn’t feel like a friendly against Yorkshire, both sides went at it pretty hard. But in the English conditions and with the season coming up it was still pleasing to spend some time in the middle and hopefully I get to do the same in this game.
“I played a lot of cricket in the winter, probably more than I ever have in the past so form wise and the way I’m striking the ball has been no dramas really.
“It was great fun spending time out in Dubai before the season started, I had a great time playing with Italy in the World Cup qualifiers and then joined up with our pre-season so it was good to get some runs against Sussex.
“I want to be fit for every game possible and do my best when I play, with the four day stuff it’s all about long, match winning and game shaping innings and last year, in the couple of one dayers I played, I still showed I can play that so if it comes about again I will enjoy facing the white ball again.”
Day two of Durham CCC v Middlesex CCC is scheduled to start at 11.00am on Friday 20 April. Visit www.durhamccc.co.uk/live-match-chat for prospects of play updates from 9.00am.