A CRICKETER who has played more matches for County Durham than any other is hosting a testimonial match between Sunderland and Newcastle.

The T20 match at Emirates Riverside, in Chester-le-Street, will be played to celebrate Paul Collingwood MBE’s testimonial year at Durham County Cricket Club.

The three-times Ashes winner has made 201 appearances for Durham and has scored 22 centuries since his debut in 1995.

Donned in his beloved red and white stripes, Collingwood will lead his star-filled Sunderland side into battle under the management of former Black Cats boss, Peter Reid while Newcastle’s squad will be coached by Magpies legend Kevin Keegan.

The match takes place on August 20, starting at 2.30pm, with gates opening from 12noon.

The match, sponsored by Infiniti Newcastle and M24Seven, is also supporting and raising funds for the Graham Wylie Foundation , which works to improve the lives of vulnerable children and young people across the region.

For more information visit www.Colly40.com and for hospitality tickets contact maddie@maddieness.co.uk. Ground admission tickets, £10 advance, £15 standard, to purchase or for more information contact the DCCC Box Office by calling 0191 3871717.