ALL-rounder Paul Collingwood plans to be part of sporting history when Test match cricket comes to the Riverside in 18 months time.

He hopes to have progressed through to the Test arena by the time England meet Zimbabwe at Chester-le-Street in May 2003.

Collingwood is seen as a potential star for the future by England selectors and coaching staff. He impressed during last month's one-day series in Zimbabwe and has just returned from England duty in a six-a-side tournament in Hong Kong.

Now he has set his sights on establishing himself in the five-day team in front of his home crowd.

"It really is great news for County Durham and the region. When I started playing cricket in Shotley Bridge I must admit I couldn't see a day when there would be Test match cricket in the region.

"I assumed the closest would always be Headingley.

"Cricket supporters in the North-East are similar to the football fans here. They are very passionate and willing to follow their team no matter what.

"I have to admit it would be great to play for England in front of a home crowd at the Riverside. I've got another 18 months or so before the first Test match, so I am going to have to work very hard to break into the team. But a lot of things can happen between now and then."

England legend Ian Botham, who lives just over the County Durham border in North Yorkshire, believes the Riverside ground fully deserves to stage Test matches and feels that it has ''the best wicket in the country''.

Botham ended his playing career with Durham in 1993, before the Riverside was built and while the county was still playing home matches at Durham University and club grounds.

Last night he said: ''I'm absolutely delighted. I've always said Durham has the best wicket in the country and we've seen some of the best games ever on that pitch.''

The staging of one-day internationals and World Cup games helped Durham's cause, particularly a 15,000-strong crowd turning out to watch England play the West Indies at the Riverside 18 months ago.

''The wicket gives encouragement to batsmen as much as it gives encouragement to bowlers. It's a very good venue for Test cricket and this is fully deserved.

''The ground staff deserve most of the credit for getting Durham into this position and have done the real work, and of course the stadium itself is an attraction.

''It makes me proud as a former player and it makes me proud living here now. Fans in the North-East are the best fans in the world for any sport,'' he said.

The granting of Test match status follows an intensive campaign by Durham officials. The success of one-day internationals and the extension of England home Test matches to seven per summer paved the way.

Durham chairman Bill Midgley said the new status of the Riverside as a Test venue would have financial and cricketing benefits for the county.

"It's the fruition of a lot of hard work,'' he said. "The money from Test matches will enable us to continue the development of the ground.

"It gives us additional income to look after the development of the players in Durham. We want to make sure we keep the best of our youngsters within the North-East."

Midgley said that as players enjoyed visiting Durham for limited overs internationals, because the facilities were only seven years old, it was a natural extension to apply for Test status.

"We put forward what we thought was quite a detailed and strong business plan," said Midgley.

England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Tim Lamb added: "I am delighted for Durham. This is recognition of the very forward-looking and progressive way in which the county has developed since achieving first-class status only ten years ago.

"Chester-le-Street will be a magnificent setting for Test match cricket and will further help galvanise the enormous enthusiasm for cricket in the North-East.