Durham's first Test Match to go ahead

Zimbabwe have confirmed that their tour of England this summer will go ahead, including their clash with England in the second npower Test match at the Riverside, Chester-le-Street.

On Saturday, Zimbabwe Cricket Union Chairman Peter Chingok said a meeting of the board had agreed to fulfil tour commitments from May to July regardless of England's boycott of their World Cup fixture in Harare last month.

Ticket sales for the Riverside's first ever Test Match are going well, with the first two days expected to be sold out by the end of April.

Durham County Cricket Club Chairman Bill Midgley said: "Despite all the uncertainty surrounding this game, ticket sales have been steady and exceeded the targets we set ourselves. Zimbabwe's confirmation of fulfilling the fixture means we can progress with our marketing activity and hopefully look forward to our first Test Match being a sell out."

Tickets for the North East's first npower Test Match are on sale now. Tickets are priced at £25 for adults for the first four days and £10 for U16s for the first three days and £5 for the Sunday. Call the Ticket Hotline on 0191 387 5151 (office hours) or Ticketmaster on 0870 90 90 190 (24 hours) www.CricketTickets.net.

The countdown to the North East's first ever Test Match has begun, 5 - 9 June 2003. Be part of history, call 0191 387 5151. To find out how long left click here: www.durhamccc.co.uk