DURHAM'S return to Stockton for the first time for four years brought frustration as the first day of the Championship match against Worcestershire was re-stricted to 44 overs.

It did not help the case for outgrounds as an hour's rain in mid-afternoon was sufficient to prevent a resumption.

Durham had planned to play all their matches at Chester-le-Street this season, but decided to switch this one to allow uninterrupted preparation for Riverside's inaugural Test match starting on June 5.

They did at least manage to see off Graeme Hick as Worcestershire, who won the toss, reached 156 for three.

It looked a little too easy for him yesterday as he sped to 30 off 36 balls with four fours and a six, but then he pushed forward and edged Danny Law to second slip.

Durham restricted Worcestershire to 25 in 15 overs, then the introduction of Law and Vince Wells removed the shackles.

Hick pulled Law's first ball for six and the second for four in an over which cost 16, but Law had his revenge in his fifth over.

Hick came in when the opening pair were parted in the 12th over by a direct hit from cover at the non-striker's end by Gary Pratt, running out Anurag Singh for 16.

Former Essex batsman Stephen Peters had made one at the time, but he also prospered against the change bowlers and had reached 32 out of 94 when the first shower prompted an early lunch.

On the resumption Peters progressed to 62, which included 10 fours, before he fell to the first ball of England paceman Steve Harmison's third spell.

The batsman appeared to be aiming towards square leg but Harmison appeared in no doubt he was lbw and umpire Alan Jones agreed.

Ben Smith had advanced comfortably to 39 before the rain returned to bring about a premature close.