THE dream to bring international cricket to the North-East evolved after 1990 when Durham's application to join the county championship, to be the 18th first-class county was accepted.

Two years later Durham, with Ian Botham in its team, embarked on first-class cricket.

One drawback, however, was that the county did not have a ground of its own. It had to borrow grounds from local clubs for its home matches. The Durham University ground, in the heart of Durham City, was the venue most used. But other home venues included Darlington, Hartlepool, Stockton and Gateshead.

The Riverside Ground, on the bank of the Wear at Chester-le-Street, was chosen at the site for the newest cricket stadium. Overlooked by historic Lumley Castle it had the potential to be one of the most picturesque grounds in the country.

The Durham officials ambitiously spoke of the Riverside hosting test matches. Few believed they would live to see that happen.

Those high hopes seemed a long way off when in February 1994 building work started at the Riverside in anything but cricket weather. But even a heavy snowfall did not dispel the glow of satisfaction felt by those connected with the club.

Gateshead-based Tolent Construction won the £2.8m contract to build the first of five stands which will form the completed test match standard ground.

In August that year the first ball was bowled in anger at the Riverside, in a second XI match.

Officials present at the historic occasion promised there would be international cricket on the ground with five years.

Even when fist-class cricket arrived in Chester-le-Street the following season, international cricket still appeared a pipe dream.

But the dream came true, when last year the Riverside was chosen to stage two matches in the World Cup. Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland and Australia played to near capacity crowds. Durham cricket fans had their appetite whetted for international cricket.

And crucially Durham had shown it had the facilities and the support to justify bring international cricket to the North-East.

The choice of the ground for this weekend's matches in the triangular tournament between England, West Indies and Zimbabwe in a fitting reward for the courage and remarkable vision of those who helped bring first-class cricket to Durham.