DURHAM breathed an enormous sigh of relief last night when anti-Robert Mugabe protestors promised not to disrupt the Riverside's debut Test.

Having previously vowed to cause "chaos" at England's second Test with Zimbabwe at Chester-le-Street, the Stop the Tour Campaign backed down following talks with Durham, the English Cricket Board and police.

The demonstrators are now expected to voice their opposition to Mugabe's regime outside the Riverside.

Durham chairman Bill Midgley said: "They will be here on Thursday and maybe here on Saturday in a very low-key capacity.

"Any demonstrations will take place outside the ground immediately adjacent to the main gates.

"They have agreed not to be involved in anything inside the ground or attempt to disrupt the cricket.

"I'm pleased that a sensible arrangement has been reached after amicable discussions with all parties concerned."

Meanwhile, Durham want to use Zimbabwe's visit to the North-East as a launchpad to secure a prestigious Ashes Test in 2005.

The next Test due to be staged at the Riverside is against Bangladesh in two years' time, a month before the Australians defend the Ashes.

Midgley said: "We're due to have Bangladesh here in 2005. That will be hard to sell, and we want Australia.

"That may be over-ambitious, but we want to show this week that people will watch cricket here in large numbers and we can handle staging Test matches.

"The ECB have drawn up a draft schedule until 2010, and it provides for a Test here in alternate years and an England one-day match in other years. But they have said they will review the decision before 2005, and if this week goes well we'll be knocking on their door."

Durham are expecting a crowd approaching the ground's 12,200 capacity today, though a limited number of tickets will be available on the gate. Saturday's play is expected to be in front of a full house.