Riverside internationals

PAKISTAN v SCOTLAND

PAKISTAN'S 94-run World Cup victory over Scotland was a showcase for the emerging talents of paceman Shoaib Akhtar and rising batting star Yousuf Youhana.

The exploits of both helped Wasim Akram and Co continue a 100 per cent Group B record after two games and put an admirable Gavin Hamilton half-century in the shade.

The wide margin of victory was achieved from a once unpromising position after some early batting blips that left Pakistan at a vulnerable 102 for five after 30 overs.

But Yousuf (81no) proved himself worthy of a frontline batting berth in international cricket as he oversaw the rest of the innings.

The Pakistanis also gave free rein to another huge talent in the much-touted Shoaib (3-11), who blew away the hapless Scots' early order.

MAY 27, 1999

AUSTRALIA v BANGLADESH

AUSTRALIA'S batsmen kept alive hopes of progress to the Super Six stage of the World Cup by cruising to a seven-wicket win against Bangladesh.

Man of the match Tom Moody and wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist both smashed fifties as the Australians set about knocking off the 179 required at a rapid rate.

The decisive victory, however, still left doubt over Australia's further progress in the World Cup. The doubts were unnecessary, as the Aussies went on the win the trophy a month later at Lord's.

JULY 15, 2000

ENGLAND v WEST INDIES

ANOTHER historic day for the Riverside as it played host to England for the first time.

The seeds of Marcus Trescothick's emergence as England's first choice opener and surprise package of the summer were sown in this NatWest Triangular Series campaign against West Indies and Zimbabwe. He came into the squad initially as temporary cover for the injured Nick Knight and Nasser Hussain.

In front of a capacity crowd, he hit an unbeaten 87 off just 106 deliveries that saw him win the man-of-the-match award in a ten-wicket victory over West Indies.

JULY 16, 2000

WEST INDIES v ZIMBABWE

ZIMBABWE successfully chased their largest ever target to eliminate West Indies from the competition.

Set a daunting 287 for five at Chester-le-Street after Sherwin Campbell scored a century and Brian Lara returned to form with 87, Zimbabwe looked set for their second successive defeat since booking their place in the final at Lord's.

Having only successfully chased more than 250 once since joining the international ranks and never a target of that magnitude before, history was very much against them and two unnecessary run outs further undermined their challenge.

But, after slipping to 104 for four from 23 overs of their reply, Murray Goodwin and Grant Flower forged an unbroken 186-run partnership to complete a thrilling six-wicket victory with five balls to spare despite needing 90 off the last ten overs.

JUNE 16, 2001

AUSTRALIA v PAKISTAN

THIS NatWest Triangular Series match became the victim of the weather. With a 12,000 sell-out crowd expected, the match was abandoned at 1.55pm without a ball being bowled. It was the first one-day international to be washed out in this country for seven years.

JULY 4, 2002

ENGLAND v INDIA

RAIN was the only victor as the Riverside staged its first floodlit international, which also saw Paul Collingwood become the first Durham player to represent his country on home soil.

After Sachin Tendulkar's first limited-overs 100 against England had taken the visitors to an imposing 285 for four, the weather intervened shortly after the hosts began their reply.

Just 12.3 overs were possible before play was ended by heavy rain, with England on 53 for one after the dismissal of Marcus Trescothick for a quickfire 23.

The no result meant both sides received two points to leave them on the cusp of the NatWest Series final.

But that was of little comfort to the near-capacity crowd of around 16,000 who shoehorned into Chester-le-Street and created a carnival atmosphere until the heavens opened.