DURHAM'S eyes remain firmly fixed on the day when the might of Australia visit Riverside for an Ashes Test.

The ECB announced on Wednesday that the Aussies will be coming to the North-East for an historical one-day international with England on June 23 next year.

But it had been hoped Riverside - following the success of its inaugural Test with Zimbabwe last year - would have been handed one of the dream Ashes Tests next summer.

However, it will be world cricket minnows Bangladesh that will provide the opposition for England when the venue holds its second Test, starting on Friday, June 3.

But Durham chief executive David Harker - speaking as England's sell-out day/night international with New Zealand at Riverside on Tuesday rapidly approaches - insists the club are not too disappointed and he is determined to ensure their Chester-le-Street home will eventually fulfil all their ambitious aims.

"The day that we get the Aussies here for an Ashes Test and international cricket is booked in for the forseeable future then that will be the day we can sit back and take a huge sigh of relief," said Harker.

"The Bangladesh game has always been on the draft allocation but what we also have now is England versus Australia in a one day game.

"We didn't really think we had a chance of getting the Australians here for a Test match in 2005. But what it does mean is we have some Test cricket at the beginning of June as well as the a one day game with the Aussies."

Harker believes the coup of bringing the Australians - whose last fixture against Pakistan at Riverside was a wash-out three years ago - to the region stands Durham in good stead for the future.

"The history of these things has been to get a foot in the door and then build from there," said Harker, who will ensure 15,000 seats are in place for the visit of Australia.

"So from staging World Cup matches in 1999, getting one day cricket here, then to get a Test match here last year and now to get the Aussies here for a one day game is a sign of our progress.

"The next step is to try to secure a major nation to play in a Test here. Whether that be Australia or any other top nation."

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