Ali went in the same over, before tailenders Chris Whelan and Matt Mason crumbled to give Plunkett 6-63, his best figures for Durham, beating the 6-74 he took against Hampshire back in 2004.

Durham were understandably buoyant, but their joy rapidly turned into panic as the batsmen collapsed in shocking fashion.

The home side had been reduced to 10-4 against Lancashire in the second innings in their last Championship game at the Riverside before Ian Blackwell saved them, and if Michael Di Venuto goes quickly they do look vulnerable against the new ball.

The Australian opener chopped the ball on to his own stumps yesterday without scoring to give Kabir Ali his first wicket. He got his second next ball, Will Smith – with just a solitary half-century to his name this season – bowled playing outside the line.

When Gordon Muchall fell to Matt Mason in the following over, Durham had lost three wickets for one run. They resume this morning on 40-3.