AT a time when the region is on the cricket map as the Riverside hosts its first ever Test match, a group of Darlington children have their sights set on a different stage.

Five members of Darlington Cricket Club's Under-13s side are hoping to retain their place in the Durham County Under 12s side which will take on Lancashire at Feethams on June 18.

Liam Coates (all-rounder), Stephen Lister (middle-order batsman), Adam Fenwick (spin-bowler), William Manners (middle-order batsman) and Matthew Wheeler (spin-bowler) have all been making names for themselves at club level.

And all of them played their part in Durham's victory over Cumbria Under 12s a week ago - with Fenwick starring with the ball when he took five for 25.

Darlington manager Derek Coates is delighted that so many of his players have progressed through to the County ranks, but he hopes they can keep their place for the clash at Feethams.

Coates said: "It would be really special for them to play on their home pitch for the County side.

"We are hopeful that they can keep their places but even if they can't it would be nice that a couple of our lads got their games.

"There are a lot of kids trying to get into that County side and the selectors may choose to try out a few other players, so we will just have to wait and see whether they get to play in that match."

Last season the same set of players scooped a League and Cup double at Under-11 level for Darlington.

There are hopes of similar success again but Coates knows that they face a tough battle with highly-fancied Norton - who have inflicted Darlington's only defeat in five during this campaign.

Coates, who believes his youngsters could have bright futures in the game, said: "This bunch of lads have been absolutely tremendous.

"We have got one of the strongest squads in the region and it is by far the best side we have had at this age ever.

"They have got a great opportunity to go far but it depends on how much they work. The cricket world is their oyster because they have the potential.

"But they have to make sure they keep working hard to develop their talent."

As well as the five players who were named in Durham's match-day 13, there were also three others who were named in an initial 20-man pool.

Ian Wilson, James Stokell and James Sutton were all close and they could come into contention for the County's next match against the impressive Lancashire outfit.