England's quicks enjoyed a fruitful return to LV= County Championship action on the day Australia named their squad for this summer's Ashes.
Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan were quickly back into the groove as they grabbed four wickets apiece, although Jimmy Anderson had to wait until the final hour of the day before picking up his double.
England's Test internationals had been allowed a break following the tour of New Zealand while Bresnan was back in championship ranks for the first time since he underwent elbow surgery.
In the wickets: Broad (right) picked up four for Nottinghamshire on Wednesday
The Yorkshire right-armer took a wicket with his first ball on his way to figures of four for 41 as Durham were dismissed for 237 at Chester-le-Street.
Only Phil Mustard's 70 helped the hosts to a batting bonus point before another England candidate, Graham Onions, made early inroads into Yorkshire's batting before stumps.
Onions removed opener Adam Lyth for a duck and then ran out Phil Jaques before he had scored.
England batsman Joe Root (30 not out) steadied the ship for Yorkshire, but Onions struck just before the close trapping Andrew Gale lbw, to leave the visitors 57 for three.
Broad ensured Nottinghamshire took control against newly-promoted Derbyshire with figures of four for 57 from 22 overs.
High hopes: Bresnan has made a successful return from elbow surgery
Derbyshire limped to 256, with West Indies left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul left high and dry on 87.
Ed Cowan, named in Australia's 16-man Ashes squad overnight, then guided Notts to the close at 28 without loss, adding 18 himself.
England spearhead Anderson was not as effective initially in Lancashire's Second Division contest with Kent.
Back in action: Tremlett (right) is 9 not out
While the hosts struggled with the bat Anderson did not make a breakthrough until the final hour when he first bowled top-scorer Mike Powell (57) before Matt Coles offered a catch to Simon Kerrigan soon after. Kent reached the close on 216 for eight.
Back in the top division spinner Monty Panesar went wicketless as Gary Wilson's second championship ton helped Surrey to 301 for seven at the Oval.
South Africa skipper Graeme Smith again failed to reach double figures but Ireland international Wilson replaced him at the crease and struck 124 to set up a solid foundation.
Another England quick, Chris Tremlett, was named in the Surrey line-up and is likely to bowl on day two.
Northamptonshire continued their fast start to the new season as in-form quicks David Willey (four for 71) and Steven Crook (three for 47) ripped out Gloucestershire for 192.
Northamptonshire were 107 for three in reply at Bristol.
Hampshire opener Jimmy Adams (151no) batted through the day as Hampshire piled on the runs against Worcestershire at the Rose Bowl.
Hampshire closed on 367 for six with only Moeen Ali's three for 77 offering the Pears relief.