Bring on the Aussies.Byline: By Will Mapplebeck Will Mapplebeck talks to legendary cricket umpire Dickie Bird about the North-East's first Test match. Never mind Zimbabwe, bring the all-conquering Australians to Durham. That is the view of straight-talking cricket personality Dickie Bird who is a great fan of Durham's Riverside ground
Dickie says Durham is a "magnificent" venue and believes that it fully deserves to host its first Test match. Tickets are selling fast for the showdown between England and Zimbabwe which will begin on June 5. Dickie thinks Durham will pass its first test with flying colours and should then host an England versus Australia Test match during the 2004 Ashes series This is a list of Ashes cricket series played between Australia and England. Most Ashes series have consisted of five Test matches between the two countries. The Ashes series with the fewest Test matches was the 1887-88 Ashes series, consisting of only one Test. . He says: "I have umpired all over the world and this ground is one of the best I have been to. "I have got wonderful, wonderful memories of the Riverside from my days as an umpire, and of Chester-le-Street as a player. "It's a very special ground, steeped in history and they deserve everything they get. I am so pleased that Durham has got a Test match so I hope the weather is good. "If they manage to pull in the crowds for the Zimbabwe match, I feel Durham has to be given a Test match against Australia. "I would give it to them. If I were on the right committees I would be fighting for an Aussie Test match at Durham, the county deserves it." Dickie, 70, has cast his expert eyes over the pitch and says it is in "tremendous condition". He adds: "It is a magnificent ground. The facilities, the parking, the practice areas and the pitch are all superb." Dickie also rates the County Durham “Durham county” redirects here. For other uses, see Durham County. County Durham is a county in north-east England. It can be used to refer to 4 different entities:
The Yorkshireman is one of cricket's best-loved characters and umpired some 66 Test matches during his time out in the middle. He was also a decent right-handed bat, turning out for his beloved Yorkshire and later Leicestershire during an eight-year playing career. He counts former Prime Minister John Major, the late billionaire cricket fanatic John Paul The name John Paul might refer to: Full name
Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author of over 200 stories including over 50 bestselling horror and among his circle of friends. Dickie is also a renowned after-dinner speaker and his autobiography became a best-seller. Meanwhile, preparations are gathering pace for the England versus Zimbabwe game with executive boxes selling out fast. Ticket sales for the Thursday and Saturday are also strong and more staff are being recruited to man the telephone ticket hotline. Durham chief executive David Harker has said he confidently expects a full house for the first three days of the Test match. The Riverside will become the first new British international test venue in 101 years, joining the illustrious ranks of Lord's, The Oval, Edgbaston, Old Trafford Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:
Its first Test match will take place just eight years after the ground, which boasts the stunning backdrop of Lumley Castle, began hosting first class county cricket. The Riverside crowd will be hoping to see Durham's home-grown players Stephen Harmison and Paul Collingwood - if he recovers from his shoulder injury in time - turn out for the national side, which will start as strong favourites against Zimbabwe. * Tickets for the Npower match are on sale now priced at pounds 25 per day for adults and pounds 10 for under 16s. Tickets can be ordered from the hotline on (0191) 387-5151 or visit www.crickettickets.net. More information is available on the club's website www. durhamccc.co.uk. |
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