A TOWN is preparing for a carnival of colour when 12,000 cricket fans invade this morning.
Chester-le-Street's Riverside ground, in County Durham, has doubled its capacity to cater for the supporters of Pakistan and Australia, who meet in a one-day rerun of the World Cup Final two years ago.
Extra police have been drafted in to ensure there are no repeats of recent scenes at Edgbaston, where Pakistan fans invaded the pitch near the end of their match with England.
The Riverside ground has undergone a makeover for an occasion that will place Chester-le-Street once again on the world stage.
With 6,000 extra seats, a new press box for journalists from all over the world, and an army of machines that can serve up six pints of beer at once, the stadium is ready for a multi-national carnival.
Bill Midgley, chairman of Durham County Cricket Club, looked forward to Chester-le-Street's second day in the sun, following last year's England and West Indies clash.
He said: "These are the best two one-day teams in the world, and a lot of people from the North-East are coming to watch cricket at the highest level.
"We don't know how many Australia supporters are coming, but Pakistan are bringing plenty. We've given them the whole of a 1,500-seat stand and they will probably use more than that."
Today's match is part of the Nat West Triangular One-Day Series.
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