SPECTATORS heading to the England Australia cricket match are being advised to plan their journey.

Thousands of people are expected at the Emirates Riverside on Thursday, but strike action means there will be no trains running from Chester-le-Street to Durham after the close of play at 9.45pm.

The last scheduled train will leave at 9.08pm, but there will be a £2 shuttle bus service from the ground to Durham train station for those people who need to head south.

David Jackson, head of communications at Durham County Cricket Club, said: “Due to impending Northern Rail strike action on Thursday, all spectators travelling by train for England vs Australia at Emirates Riverside are advised to plan their journey well in advance.”

Extra services are being put on by TransPennine Express and two trains will be running from Chester-le-Street to Newcastle at 11.13pm and 00.31am.

The sell-out one day international is the fourth of five matches in the series, with the final match being played at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on Sunday.

The gates open at 12noon with the first innings from 2pm to 5.30pm and the second from 6.15pm to 9.45pm.

Parking is available at the ground, but must be purchased in advance from the box office in person before midday on Wednesday.

Park and ride services will be running from Lambton Estates, postcode DH3 4PQ, around four miles from the ground on the day of the game and cost £2 for a return journey payable on the day.

The car park will open at 11am and buses will run to the ground until 2.30pm with return services from 30 minutes before the close of play, or at the abandonment of the match.

People can also get bus numbers 36 and 78 from Front Street, a couple of minutes’ walk from the train station, to the ground.

Go North East run a number of bus services to Chester-le-Street including the 36 and 78 from Sunderland, 21 from Newcastle and Gateshead and X21 from Bishop Auckland and Durham.

Mr Jackson said: “It is always a fantastic occasion when England come to play and we are looking forward to welcoming all the fans to the venue for an exciting night of cricket.”

“The match is a sell-out which is great for the club and the region.”

Councillor Simon Henig, leader of Durham County Council and local councillor for Chester-le-Street, said the event was a good way to showcase the region to a global audience.

He said: “It’s great that international cricket is once again being staged at the Emirates Riverside.

“We hope the event will be just as memorable as England’s victory over Australia here in 2013, which clinched the Ashes.

“Hosting these kind of prestigious matches, which are broadcast around the world, can only help put Chester-le-Street and County Durham on the map.”