Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street: Durham Cricket Home

Overview

The Riverside Ground is in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, beside the River Wear and overlooked by Lumley Castle. It is the home of Durham County Cricket Club and is the main cricket venue in the north-east of England.

The ground has sponsor-related names that have changed over the years, and is commonly called simply the Riverside.

History

Durham was admitted to the County Championship in 1992 and played its early matches at several grounds before settling at the Riverside in the mid-1990s. The ground has grown into an international venue, hosting its first Test in 2003 when England played Zimbabwe.

It has also hosted Ashes cricket. England played Australia there in 2013 and won the Test, helping to secure the series. The ground has staged one-day internationals and also matches in the 2019 World Cup.

Durham’s success

Durham won the County Championship in 2008, 2009 and 2013, making the Riverside a notable ground for the club’s greatest years. It has also hosted Twenty20 Blast cricket and, in recent years, Women’s cricket fixtures.

Pitch and conditions

The northern climate means the ball often moves in the air and off the seam, especially in spring and early summer, and the pitches have traditionally helped seam bowlers. Cold weather and cloud can make batting harder early in a match.

Check Durham Cricket for the latest match details.