DURHAM County Cricket Club did our region proud yesterday.

As the Riverside crowd basked in the sunshine that greeted the first ball bowled at a new Test venue in this country for 101 years, the North-East basked in the glory of a wonderful occasion.

This was not merely a sporting event. It was a major economic and tourism event.

From 6am to 6pm yesterday national television and radio networks were broadcasting live from Chester-le-Street. It was wall-to-wall positive publicity for the region that a multi-million pound marketing campaign couldn't hope to buy.

There was praise for the facilities, praise for the parking arrangements and praise for the car park attendants at the world's newest Test ground. There was praise for the backdrop, with Lumley Castle featuring frequently in TV shots and radio commentaries.

If there were any negative thoughts from visitors, they kept them to themselves.

That our region could enjoy such adulation is down to those visionaries, led by Don Robson, who barely a decade ago embarked on a dream to bring first-class cricket to the North-East and create, from nothing, a ground capable of staging Test cricket.

After the first day of this Test match, the Riverside has demonstrated that it is more than capable of hosting international cricket. Indeed, it is probably better equipped to do so than any other ground in the country.

In cricket's battle to attract a new generation of supporters it is essential that the game is made accessible to as many people as possible.

One hundred and one years is a ludicrously long period for six grounds to have a monopoly of Test cricket in England.

In two years time the Riverside will host its second Test. According to provisional schedules, Bangladesh, the world's newest and weakest Test nation, will be the visitors.

While we do not wish to show disrespect for Bangladesh, the England and Wales Cricket Board must resist the temptation to bring only the 'wooden spoonists' to the North-East.

An Ashes Test against Australia in 2005 will be a fitting reward for the determination and vision of Durham County Cricket Club.