DURHAM may have missed out on the Ashes Test they so desperately wanted - but according to chief executive David Harker, the county is now firmly established on England's international cricket scene.

Riverside hosts its latest England game this Saturday, and next year the West Indies arrive for the Chester-le-Street venue's biggest Test date so far.

Despite tabling what was described as an "exceptionally strong bid" for an Ashes Test, Durham were pipped by Glamorgan for the honour when the England and Wales cricket board, ECB, announced who would host the visit of the Australians in 2009.

The rival county received financial backing from the Welsh Assembly with the match, which is expected to generate millions of pounds, scheduled for Glamorgan's Sophia Gardens in Cardiff - provided a £7.5m redevelopment goes ahead.

Harker admits the decision still rankles, but is keen to focus on the progress the county has made since Riverside staged its first match back in 1994.

"Durham now - although geographically we might be someway from the centre - is firmly established as a county," said Harker, who was in charge when Riverside staged its first England international, a one-day match against the West Indies in July 2000.

"We are involved in committees at Lord's, we are providing players for the England team, we are staging internationals.

"We are very much part of what the ECB is all about. Inevitably there are times when you don't agree with what the centre are trying to do.

"By and large our relationship with the ECB is a very positive one.

"We are supportive what the ECB is trying to achieve on behalf of English cricket.

"We'd like to think we're playing a major part in that. Our relationship with the ECB is a very good one but, like any family, you will row from time to time.

"We were disappointed (not to get an Ashes Test) but you get on with life.

"There will be a Test match here in 2009 we're committed to that. We have to work with the ECB to see how that is going to be achieved and who the opposition will be.

"We're still pretty positive but if this is the process the ECB are going to use going forward we want to be happy that it is a fair and equitable process."

As soon as Saturday's one-day game is over, Durham will begin preparations for the West Indies visit next summer.

Harker admits ticket prices have yet to be finalised for 2007 with the county keen to make admittance affordable to the general public whilst ensuring a maximum financial return on the five-day game.

The balancing act is a tough one with the county forced to gamble on projected ticket sales to ensure Durham don't end up out of pocket.

"We're beginning to get our head around ticket prices," admitted Harker.

"We're under pressure from the ECB to maximise the amount of income the game generates so there is a pressure there.

"But also we're keen to try and keep the tickets affordable for our own public and particularly for the juniors.

"There is a balance between what we can get away with charging in terms of making the game accessible but still return a reasonable amount of money to the ECB because clearly if we don't do that we won't get the games in the first place and everyone loses.

"It's a bit of a balancing act to be honest.

"They ask for a fixed guarantee so there is an element of risk because once we have the game and weren't to sell the tickets we could be out of pocket.

"Clearly we have the upkeep and the maintenance of the ground all year-long so the game has to cover itself."

The pressure to make sure the Test is profitable for all concerned is something Durham could do without - with the county believing cricket bosses are failing to recognise the importance of ensuring cash can be invested back in the new international cricket venues across England and Wales.

"We don't think it's fair," said Harker.

"We think the ECB should take a much broader view and recognise the importance of Test cricket in the North-East of England as a development tool.

"Yes there has to be a reasonable financial return but it shouldn't be the be all and end all.

"Other grounds are having the same argument.

"We're under pressure from the ECB to develop world-class facilities which is fine - that's what we ought to be doing for the 21st century and for the benefit of our spectators - but they cost.

"The income streams which enable grounds to develop their venues are generated by international cricket.

"If the centre is taking away all of that income then we are not left with money to develop the venues.

"Eventually we'll end up- where we have been with cricket - with some venues in a pretty sorry state."