The Riverside is in line to bail out cash-strapped Pakistan next month by helping to host a one-day international tournament also involving Australia and New Zealand.

And Durham's ground could be given a prestigious Test match involving Pakistan and Australia next year as International Cricket Council bosses look to salvage their fledgling World Championship.

Pakistan cricket chiefs are keen to stage the triangular one-day series in England after the tournament was moved from their country in the wake of a suicide bomb attack in Karachi in May that curtailed the Kiwis' tour.

And Chester-le-Street, plus Hampshire's new Rose Bowl ground in Southampton, would be the English Cricket Board's first-choice venues to stage matches.

The Riverside is already poised to host its first Test next May or June, when Zimbabwe tour England.

But the ECB would strongly encourage Pakistan and Australia to play in Durham should they agree to meet in a three-Test series in this country next year.

England is the Pakistan Cricket Board's favoured location for the series, ahead of Sharjah, Bangladesh and Tangiers in Morocco.

The PCB, who has missed out on more than £16m in lost revenue since September 11, know playing "home" matches in England would be a money-spinning exercise.

They met the West Indies in Sharjah earlier this year but those matches attracted little local interest and small crowds.

PCB director Brigadier Munawar Rana confirmed: "We have suggested England as a neutral venue for hosting the triangular series.

"We're looking at the feasibility of all venues. It's a fluid situation and I think we should have a decision before mid-July."

Chester-le-Street first hosted an international fixture during the 1999 World Cup, when Scotland lost to Pakistan before Australia beat Bangladesh.

A year later, England beat West Indies at the Riverside as part of a triangular one-day series, but 12 months ago Pakistan and Australia was washed at the venue without a ball being bowled.

The news that Chester-le-Street is to see its international profile raised is a timely bonus ahead of Thursday's one-day match between England and India being held there.

Even though a string of senior Australia players, including Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, confirmed recently that they would not visit Pakistan this year, the PCB are still hopeful of persuading them to play the Test series in their country in October.

However, New Zealand's refusal to return to Pakistan means the triangular series would definitely have to be held elsewhere, with England the strong favourite.

ICC spokesman Brendan McClements said: "If a country is unable to host matches, it could make sense to stage games at a venue with a cricket following in place.

"It would be a matter for the PCB but we would certainly not veto a move to play neutral matches in England."

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