The first day of the 2018 season saw Durham skipper Paul Collingwood present three new caps.
Gareth Harte joined Nathan Rimmington and overseas signing Aiden Markram in making their Durham four-day debuts.
Harte had previously played two T20s for Durham but made his first four-day appearance as Cameron Steel was taken ill overnight.
Markram is playing the first of his four matches in a Durham shirt as he looks to get the side’s season off to a flying start.
Rimmington will also look to make an impressive start after making the move from Australia.
He will have to wait to make his mark, however, as Kent chose not to contest the toss and put Durham in at Emirates Riverside.
The last time the two sides met, saw Sam Billings rise from his sickbed to see Kent’s last wicket pair hold on for a draw.