INTERNATIONAL cricket will continue to be staged in the North-East for the next eight years.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced that Durham Cricket have successfully secured international cricket for the North East until 2031 at the Riverside ground, in Chester le Street.

In an additional boost for Durham, they have been allocated more games than their current agreement, which ends next year, securing two England men’s games and one England women’s game in 2026 and 2028.

Major cricketing nations such as Australia and India will bring their global superstars to the region in what is being viewed as a major coup for both the club and the region.

Durham Cricket chief executive Tim Bostock said “We are absolutely delighted to have secured international cricket for the foreseeable future. The additional games allocated to us will help the clubs’ revenue and be a further boost to the local economy with thousands of spectators pouring money into Chester le Street and the surrounding area for the next eight years. It also supports our plans for development of the ground and onsite facilities.

"We have provided a stream of players to the England’s men’s squads and with three players in the current Ashes squad, and a pipeline of prospects coming through the first team and academy, we are looking forward to seeing Durham players play international cricket at their home ground for years to come.

"The guarantee of women’s games at the venue is particularly pleasing as we have invested a lot of time and resources into developing the women’s game, from recreational level through to our women’s pathways in the Academy. To be able to come and see the Worlds best women’s players will hopefully inspire more girls to participate in Cricket at all levels.”

Durham are hoping to add more international cricket to the schedule as they will also be bidding to host a number of games in the women’s T20 World Cup in 2026 and the men's T20 World Cup in 2030, following their successful hosting of three sell out games during the 2019 World Cup.

Durham are hosting two England fixtures this summer as England men play New Zealand in a T20 international on Wednesday, August 30 and England women face Sri Lanka in a one day international on Saturday, September 9. Tickets are still available for both.