WHEN the England and Wales Cricket Board announced Bangladesh would provide England with the opposition for Riverside's second Test, there were a few disappointed faces around the Durham boardroom.

Having successfully hosted its inaugural Test with Zimbabwe two years ago, hopes were high that the picturesque Chester-le-Street venue would be awarded one of this summer's five highly-coveted Ashes Tests.

Instead cricket minnows Bangladesh came to town earlier this month for a game what proved - for the thousands that turned out to witness the one-sided action - to be a comfortable victory for Michael Vaughan's team.

The sweetener for missing out on a money-spinning Ashes Test was for the Riverside to be handed England's NatWest Series encounter with the Aussies today.

Usual suspects and traditional English grounds - Lord's Trent Bridge, Edgbaston, Old Trafford and The Oval - were all chosen over the North-East, while Headingley also missed out.

The decision has not deterred Durham chief executive David Harker, who continues to strive to make sure Riverside joins that elite list of grounds battling for the big Tests.

And Harker now has an ally in former England captain David Gower.

Gower was part of the 1981 Ashes winning side, inspired by Ian Botham, and believes Durham's committee are making all the right noises within the game to make sure their wish is granted in the future.

"There are reputations and the truth in cricket," said Gower, working on Sky Sports' commentating team at Riverside today. "And we have to keep fingers crossed that Durham get their Test at some stage.

"It would be nice to see Australia here for a Test in the next few years.

"There's infighting. We all know the other grounds are trying to protect their status - they'll do their best to strike deals with the ECB to protect their status. It's a case of Durham fighting to see their aims are met.

"If you're a new kid on the block you have to fight your corner, wait for the moment and then go for it. But everything is done right here."

Gower has been to Riverside on many occasions and has been mightily impressed - although, on occasions, not by the weather.

In June 2001, the first one-day international for seven years to be completely washed out without a ball being bowled, in this country, happened when Australia were due to take on Pakistan in a NatWest Series match.

Thirteen months later England's clash with India - on the day Paul Collingwood became the first Durham player to represent his country at one day level - ended in a no result when 16,000 went home wet.

The weather has been one of the causes of concern for ECB over the years but Gower said: "We know that when we come to Riverside that things are warm and welcoming.

"We have been unlucky on a couple of one day internationals with the weather, but that could have happened anywhere.

"Things work nicely here, the ground's in good shape, the media centre is now ready - it's just a question of patience and waiting for the better matches to arrive.

"Zimbabwe was a three-day affair, the Bangladesh Test lasted just over two days, but that's just the calibre of side England were up against.

"But it's a case of keep putting the work in and you get the rewards. Durham will see that and they have been seeing it. The ground staff know what they are doing. It's still a new ground and is still developing.

"The public are keen to watch their sport up here and there's always a good atmosphere. The fans will keep coming as well."

While all North-East eyes focus on today's NatWest Series encounter with Australia, Gower, although looking for more improvements from the one-day side, is looking for Ashes glory.

Eighteen years is a long time waiting for the Ashes to return to these shores and Gower is hoping England's time has finally arrived.

"Australia are still a very good cricket team. It's going to be a real test of how far we have come. We have come a long way. The victories against West Indies and South Africa show that," said Gower.

"England now have an edge. The Aussies have asked 'who will bowl us out?' The answer is Harmison, Hoggard, Jones, Flintoff - that four man pace attack works well as a unit."

If Gower's confidence can be reflected in England's play then English cricket could be about to enjoy a glorious summer. * Sky Sports will be broadcasting the NatWest Series exclusively live.