LONDON (Reuters)
Durham's Riverside ground has been given Test status from 2003, becoming the first English ground to be granted the honour since 1902. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said the Chester-le-Street venue, which has already staged one-day internationals, could be in line to host its first Test against Zimbabwe in May 2003.

ECB chief executive Tim Lamb said: "I'm delighted for Durham. This is recognition for the forward-looking and progressive way that the county has developed since achieving first-class status only 10 years ago. Chester-le-Street will be a magnificent setting for Test-match cricket."

England now has seven Test venues. The other six are Old Trafford in Manchester, Headingley in Leeds, Trent Bridge in Nottingham, Birmingham's Edgbaston ground and Lord's and The Oval in London. Edgbaston, the youngest venue still in use before Durham's elevation, staged its first Test in 1902. That year also saw one Test played at Bramall Lane, Sheffield, although the ground was never again awarded a Test and stopped staging cricket in 1973.

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