DURHAM will end a hiatus of more than a decade when they stage one of this summer’s Royal London Cup games in Darlington.

The home fixture against Hampshire on Tuesday, August 4 will be staged at Darlington Cricket Club’s Feethams ground.

It will be the first time Durham have played in the town since 2002, when they took on Derbyshire in the County Championship, and forms part of a series of out-ground games in this season’s Royal London Cup.

The rescheduling of the one-day tournament to July and August has forced Durham to move some of their games away from Emirates Riverside.

As well as playing in Darlington, they will take on Gloucestershire in Scarborough on Tuesday, July 21 as part of the town’s Five Counties Cricket Week, and host Lancashire at South Northumberland Cricket Club in Jesmond on Friday, July 24.

“Due to the change in the timings of this year’s competitions two of our fixtures are taking place straight after major concerts at the venue,” said Durham chief executive Tim Bostock. “After consultation with our grounds staff it was decided that in order to guarantee a first-class playing surface it would be best to take the opportunity to play these fixtures across the region and to take up the offer to play at the exciting Five Counties Cricket Week in Scarborough.

“We appreciate the games may cause some inconvenience to members and this is something we want to try to address in some part by ensuring all members who wish to attend the games are guaranteed tickets and are provided free transport from Emirates Riverside.

“It is a great opportunity to allow people from the north and south of the region to view first-class cricket and hopefully grow our fanbase. Moving the fixtures also allows us to host major concerts which will bring much needed revenue into the club, helping with investment in the team and the facilities at Emirates Riverside.

“The Scarborough game will also guarantee income to the club and allow us to showcase Durham to a wider cricketing audience attending the full week of games.

“It’s an exciting time at Durham and we want to engage as many people as possible with the club without alienating our members who have shown unwavering support throughout some difficult times.”