GLOBAL popstar Rihanna popped to County Durham today to catch a spot of World Cup cricket at Chester-le-Street's Emirates Riverside Stadium.

The West Indies are taking on Sri Lanka, and the Windies team tweeted photos of her at the ground, taking in the match from their balcony.

Luckily the weather was set fair, so the Barbadian singer didn't need her umbrella-ella.

Rihanna's appearance at Chester-le-Street took even the West Indies by surprise as captain Jason Holder admitted "the boys felt her presence in the stands" despite a 31-run defeat.

The Barbadian singer was among the spectators in the crowd for a dead rubber World Cup fixture, and she brought out the best of Nicholas Pooran, whose maiden international century led the Windies to the brink of a tournament-record chase.

Pooran's electric 118 from 103 deliveries was cheered to the hilt by Rihanna, the camera turning to her on numerous occasions, though his departure meant the Windies fell short of overhauling Sri Lanka's 338 for six.

Asked whether they were expecting Rihanna's support in the North-East, Holder replied: "No, it was a pleasant surprise. It was great to see her here. I just want to personally thank her for coming out.

 

"I guess it's not easy for a celebrity to just come down to Durham to watch the West Indies play.

"I'm sure the boys felt her presence in the stands and she came down to the dressing room as well to meet quite a few of the players. That was also refreshing."