THE North-East's first cricket Test match will go ahead despite pressure on England to boycott opponents Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe are due to play England at the Riverside, in Chester-le-Street, in June. The Test is expected to bring £4m into the local economy.

However, it is suspected that if England pull out of the forthcoming World Cup, President Robert Mugabe would cancel his side's tour of England.

Durham County Cricket Club this week revealed that a replacement for Zimbabwe has been lined up for the match with England at the club's ground, starting on June 5, should Zimbabwe not tour.

Durham Cricket Club chairman Bill Midgley would not name the replacement side but said: "There will be a Test match at the Riverside."

The World Cup is due to start in Zimbabwe on February 13. Durham players Paul Collingwood and Steve Harmison may be selected for the squad.

Mr Midgley said Durham had not issued advice to the duo, and did not intend to. He said his personal view was that no national team should play in Zimbabwe but the International Cricket Council (ICC) had to take the decision.

He said: "This goes beyond English cricket. This is about world cricket facing up to its responsibilities."

Mr Midgley said he was concerned that England's cricketers would find themselves used for political purposes if they went.