Yorkshire twice lost the initiative against Durham and then the match in a frustrating opening to their Benson and Hedges Cup campaign.

Chasing a 179 target, they looked in complete command at 122 for two with almost ten overs remaining and Craig White and Darren Lehmann both going strong.

But then the Australian was dismissed and with White unable to step up the tempo, Yorkshire got into a panic, surrendering seven wickets for 46 runs to go down by a ten-run margin.

It was all so disappointing after Yorkshire had called the shots after putting Durham in to bat in a game reduced to 40 overs because of a delayed start.

Darren Gough and Chris Silverwood made excellent use of the new ball with the nippy Silverwood quickly accounting for Martin Speight and Durham's new Australian signing, Simon Katich.

Jimmy Daley spent 19 overs making 15 on a slow pitch before falling lbw to Gavin Hamilton but new skipper Nick Speak and Jon Lewis fought back bravely with a 102 stand for the fourth wicket as Yorkshire's five-man pace attack lost its cutting edge.

Gold award winner Speak finally lost his off stump to Gough for 72 off 98 deliveries with six fours, while Lewis remained unbeaten with 55.

There appeared little for Yorkshire to fear, however, as Lehmann acclimatised to English conditions with two sixes and two fours but when he went the collapse left Yorkshire ruing their errors.

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