Cricket

North East Cricket

Tom Moffatt MBE, 11 Jan 2007

This first article on North East Cricket takes a look first at the top of the pyramid, which of course is Test Match Cricket. Every cricket lover in the region, even the country, will know that we have a five day Test Match against the West Indies this year at our lovely Riverside International Cricket Stadium, starting Friday 15^th June.

Already tickets for much of the stadium are sold so all those wishing to see one or more days of the Test Match should get in quickly. Booking Forms are available from the Riverside Ground or by calling the box Office on 0870 389 1991 or visiting www.CricketTickets.net

One of the greatest sights in sport is to see two International Test Sides performing in such a wonderful setting, under the shadow of the lovely Lumley Castle.

Writing, as one of those who was heavily involved in helping to bring First Class Cricket to our Region (as the then Treasurer of the old Minor Counties side) for Durham County Cricket Club in the late 1980's early 1990's; our dream was to secure First Class Status and then to build our own ground.

The choice of Chester-le-Street Riverside is now seen to be an inspired one, which was achieved in spite of the 20,000+ residents who didn't want the ground built in their town and who fought a very active campaign of opposition.

Thankfully, the vast majority have come around and most of them will - and many have done - say that they were wrong for what we have now at Riverside is simply wonderful for the town, the region, and even for the Country, for this is surely one of the finest cricket grounds in the country. If you haven't been to Riverside it really is a MUST SEE!

Durham County started playing First Class Cricket in 1992 and played their home matches on six main grounds; Chester-le-Street, Durham University, Gateshead Fell, Stockton, Darlington and Hartlepool, for Riverside was not completed until season 1995 when it was officially opened by the Queen in October 1995 at the end of the first season.

Whilst I am a total optimist I could never have dreamed that we at DCCC would see International Cricket played at Riverside so quickly and to see, as we already have, two test teams walking out at our ground is the stuff of dreams - but we have already enjoyed this and this season sees another step forward.

I cannot end this short piece without saying, and I think we can all share this pride, what a great joy it has been to see four of the young players from our Academy come through for selection for England and, in fact, see three of them play for England. For a new county like Durham to have achieved so much, so quickly, is testament to the progress the club has made.

As we look forward to a new cricket season there will be countless new stories to tell about our wonderful British summer game. So don't forget to book your tickets for the West Indies Test Match.

While you are on to the Ticket Office why not ask for details of membership of the Durham County Club. Annual membership only costs: Junior £18 - Full £108 - Senior £68 and that means entry to every championship game and some cup ties. What value for money!

Have a great watching season

Tom Moffat MBE
President Durham County Cricket Club

» top | more articles | | | shown 303 times

 

Post a comment

Name:
Type in your name or nickname!

E-mail:
Your e-mail address will not be published on the web, but must be valid!

Comments:
Please enter your comments. The length of your message is restricted to 3,000 characters.

Notice: All fields are mandatory!