THE first Test to have been played in the North-East has been captured on canvas by one of Durham's former players, writes Chris Lloyd.

Even without Zimbabwe's early capitulation, Martin Speight, who opened the batting for Durham from 1997-2001, would have needed another three weeks to complete his 3ft by 1ft oil painting which will be auctioned at a Test dinner at the club in September.

It is expected to raise a couple of thousand pounds.

Speight was to be found stretched out in front of the hospitality tent near the pavilion during the three days of the Test with his canvas in front of him and a view over the pitch to Lumley Castle.

"I'm not really watching the game,'' he confessed, brush in hand. "I have an idea of what's going on but I haven't seen anyone get out.''

The painting is of the first ball of the first Durham Test, although by tea on the first day the wicket was still black. "The only thing that's finished is the sky - but even that is not finished because I keep getting bloomin' flies in it,'' he said, as a creepy-crawly waved those of its legs that weren't stuck in a cloud at him.

Speight, who started his career with Sussex and now coaches at the Middlesbrough Academy and South Northumberland Cricket Club, played professionally for 15 years and usually toured with his paintbox.

"I will paint anything, but mainly cricket scenes,'' he said. However, following his painting of the Stadium of Light at night, Sunderland FC have just commissioned him to do a 5ft by 4ft oil of their new Academy of Light from the air.