`Mayhem' threat to Durham Test.

Byline: By Bryn Littleton

The North-East's first Test match could be the target of anti-Robert Mugabe protesters who last night declared "war" on cricketing authorities.

They threatening "chaos and mayhem" during England's upcoming Test series against Zimbabwe after being refused permission to demonstrate inside Lords on the opening day of the First Test.

England play Zimbabwe in the second test of the tour at Durham County Cricket Club's Riverside ground, Chester-le-Street on June 5.

The demonstration threat came hours after English cricket chiefs were condemned by 94 MPs for putting "profit before principle" by allowing the Zimbabwe tour to go ahead.

Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, leader of the Stop The Tour campaign, said "the gloves are off" in its "war" with the home of English cricket, the MCC.

"We were willing to compromise but the MCC rejected our offer to call off the planned disruptions in exchange for a visible symbolic protest inside the grounds," he said. "Having been spurned, we are under no obligation to show restraint. The MCC and ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) must bear full responsibility for any chaos and mayhem."

Last night, Durham County Cricket Club Chairman Bill Midgley said he was hopeful of avoiding any major disruption to the Riverside Test, but admitted a mass demonstration inside the Chester-le-Street ground would cause problems.

"Lords has been chosen by protesters because of its profile, but I am certainly not underestimating the threat to Durham. I would stress that I am still in talks with Peter Tatchell and while that is the case I am hopeful of an amicable solution for both parties but you can not pay every price that is demanded of you by people," he said.

He added: "My greatest fear would be a pitch invasion. We have stewards but if 500 protesters were inside the ground and decided to invade the pitch it would be very difficult and would also damage the wicket.

"It would be so sad if it did come to that and I have spoken with Peter Tatchell and said it is important he gets his message across in a controlled way rather than a confrontational one, because I believe it would end up in him losing support."

Former chairman of Chester-le-Street District Council Bill Laverick said: "If people have paid pounds 25 to watch a day's cricket there would be a real potential for retaliation if there was a pitch invasion. I have nothing but sympathy for the people of Zimbabwe, but the cricket club is one of the jewels in the North-East crown and it would be sad if the cricket was disrupted."

Around 500 black Zimbabweans will also take part in a demonstration at Lord's, the leader of protest group the Zimbabwe Cricket Campaign said yesterday. Unlike the Stop The Tour campaign, the ZCC are happy for the tour to go ahead, Washington Ali said.