Durham will host England vs New Zealand ODI

By Jon Steer
September 11 2003

It was announced today that Durham will host a Day/Night International between England and New Zealand in the Natwest Series on Tuesday 29th June.

There will be no test matches for the Riverside next year but we do have at least one ODI, a day/night match between England and New Zealand.

The venues for the ICC Champions trophy to be held in England at the end of next season are still to be announced but it is unlikely that the Riverside will feature.

After the huge positive reaction to the first Riverside test this year, reality has set in and the next time that the ground will see a test match is likely to be when Bangladesh tour in 2005.

The poor pitches at Headlingly and Trent Bridge this summer may hasten the Riversides entrance into the major league of cricket venues but both these grounds will get another chance to show that they can supply decent test pitches next summer.

The seven test matches next year (three with New Zealand and four with West Indies) will be hosted by Lords twice, Headlingly, Trent Bridge, Old Trafford, Edgebaston and the Oval.

Cardiff, Bristol and Hampshire's Rose Bowl also host one day internationals next summer.