Durham announce Riverside development

11:36am Saturday 6th September 2008

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AS the third day of their match against Lancashire was washed out, Durham yesterday unveiled plans for a £45m development at Riverside, which will include a 150- bed hotel.

An eye-catching entrance building which will incorporate the box office and club shop, plus conference and banqueting space for up to 700 delegates, is also planned.

Permanent seating will increase by 4,000 to 20,000 and with planning permission for an extension to the South East Terrace already granted, the work should be completed by early next season.

The plans also include permanent floodlights, a TV compound and new scoreboards with replay screens, along with a new perimeter road.

Chief executive David Harker said: “The development is essential if we are to continue to stage international cricket. It positions Riverside as a leading regional venue and Durham CCC as a major local employer.”

A public exhibition with details of the plans will be held from Monday to Friday next week during office hours in the reception area. Members of the project team will be on hand to answer any questions on Wednesday from 3-7pm in the Riverside Lounge.

General comments and queries about the proposed development from the public can be emailed to development@ durhamccc.co.uk. Alternatively, contact the club’s Stakeholder Engagement Consultant, Marion Schooler, on 07931 556729.

■ Yorkshire endured a seaside wash-out at Scarborough that will almost certainly see the contest with Sussex peter out into a draw.

The hosts were due to resume on 133 for seven in the first innings, still trailing by 132, but despite finding themselves in a tough position, the Tykes were still unhappy at having to kick their heels all day as they look for the points to take them clear of relegation trouble.

“We were hoping to get past 200 and were still confident we could have done that,” said stand-in skipper Anthony McGrath.

“You saw what Kent did to us the other day, they reversed the game in their second innings and we were hoping to put in a performance like that but, given the weather, I don’t think that’s going to be possible now.”

The question of what division the Tykes will play in next season is not the only one still to be answered, a new captain has yet to be named and McGrath is certainly in the running, alongside Jacques Rudolph.

“It’s not on my mind to be honest,” said McGrath. “I’ve read a couple of things about it and people want to know what will happen when Goughy leaves. It’s something I haven’t spoken about to the club yet and neither has Jacques as far as I know, so I think we’re just waiting.

“I think it’s a job you’d always consider doing. I’ve done it before and it’s a job I’m comfortable with.”

The worry for Yorkshire is that either player could have their batting affected by a role as skipper and McGrath is conscious that the extra responsibility can take a toll on individual performances.

“I think it can do, a captain in cricket is a different job to other sports,” he said.

“You’ve got to put a lot of thought into team tactics.”