Riverside Ground, also known as Durham Cricket Ground, is a cricket stadium in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, England. It is the home of Durham County Cricket Club and has staged Test, One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International matches. Riverside Ground was opened in 1995, and it has since hosted both international and domestic matches.
It was officially opened as an international cricket venue in 1999, with Durham hosting their first ODI match in the same year. Durham Ground hosted England’s first-ever Test match in 2003 when they played against Zimbabwe. The Riverside Ground is well known for being surrounded by scenic views of the Lumley Castle. This stadium has made significant contributions to the sport of cricket in the north of England.
Riverside Ground Overview
Riverside Ground is a cricket ground in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, England, and home to Durham County Cricket Club. It opened in 1995, and Durham had their first first-class match there on 18 May 1995 when they faced Warwickshire. It got first ODI that was played in the 1999 Cricket World Cup when Pakistan played Scotland on 20 May 1999.
It played its first Test against Zimbabwe in 2003. It has hosted Test, ODI and T20 International cricket, as well as domestic matches. It hosted three matches in the 2019 Cricket World Cup as well. There are two named ends on the Riverside, namely the Lumley End and Finchale End. The maximum capacity of its seating is 17,000.
| Stadium Information | Details |
| Stadium Name | Riverside Ground |
| Also Known As | Durham Cricket Ground |
| Commercial Name | Seat Unique Riverside |
| Location | Chester-le-Street, County Durham |
| Country | England |
| Opened | 1995 |
| Home Team | Durham |
| Domestic Capacity | Around 5,000 |
| International Capacity | Around 17,000 |
| Test Status | Yes |
| First ODI | Pakistan vs Scotland, 1999 |
| First Test | England vs Zimbabwe, 2003 |
| First T20I | England vs South Africa, 2008 |
| Floodlights | Yes |
| Main Ends | Finchale End, Lumley End |
| Famous Landmark | Lumley Castle |
Riverside Ground History
Riverside Ground was constructed after Durham County was granted first-class county status. The construction of the stadium started in the early 90s and it hosted its first match in May 1995.
This stadium was given international ODI status in 1999. Pakistan and Scotland played the first ODI match at the Riverside Ground, which was part of the 1999 World Cup. The Ground was given Test status in 2003, when England played their first Test match against Zimbabwe at the venue. The Riverside Ground became the first new Test venue in England in over a century. This Ground hosted some of the 2019 Cricket World Cup fixtures.
| Historical Event | Details |
| Ground Opened | 1995 |
| First ODI | 1999 |
| First Test | 2003 |
| First T20I | 2008 |
| 2019 World Cup | 3 matches |
| Home County | Durham |
| Test Status | Since 2003 |
Riverside Ground Pitch Report
The Riverside Ground generally offers a balanced pitch. Fast bowlers can get movement from the new ball, especially when the weather is cool and cloudy.
| Pitch Factor | Condition |
| Overall Nature | Balanced |
| Bounce | Good |
| Carry | Good |
| New Ball | Helpful for seamers |
| Swing | Can be significant |
| Spin | Moderate assistance |
| Batting | Improves after settling |
Riverside Ground Ticket Price
The prices for tickets at Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street will differ match by match, competition by competition and seating category by seating category. County Championship tickets for the home matches in Durham were priced from £15 for adults, with some games having a reduced charge for juniors, all sold on the day. Vitality Blast T20 games 2026 were priced at £20 per adult, £5 per junior (for advance tickets) and £25 per adult (at the gate for selected games).
The prices of International matches vary depending on seating category. The prices for this September 2026 ODI between England and Sri Lanka at Banks Homes Riverside will vary from £50 to £60 for adults‘ reserved seats and £15 for junior Family Stand tickets. Fixture and/or ticket availability may affect prices.
Batting or Bowling Pitch?
Riverside is not considered a completely batting-dominated venue. The conditions can favour bowlers during the opening stages of an innings.
| Department | Expected Conditions |
| Opening Overs | Bowling advantage |
| Fast Bowling | Strong |
| Swing Bowling | Strong |
| Middle Overs | Balanced |
| Spin | Moderate |
| Set Batters | Good conditions |
Riverside Ground Average Score
Scoring at Riverside varies considerably between formats. Test cricket has produced high first-innings totals, while ODI and T20 matches generally have lower averages.
| Format | Average 1st Innings | Average 2nd Innings |
| Test | Around 352 | Around 270 |
| ODI | Around 240 | Around 192 |
| T20 | Around 137 | Around 125 |
Test Cricket Records
Riverside has hosted six men’s Test matches. England have enjoyed an excellent record at the venue and have won all six Tests played there.
| Test Record | Details |
| Tests Hosted | 6 |
| Highest Total | 569/6d – England |
| Lowest Total | 94 – Zimbabwe |
| Average 1st Innings | Around 352 |
| Average 2nd Innings | Around 270 |
| Highest Successful Chase | 111/3 |
ODI Cricket Records
Riverside has hosted 28 men’s ODIs in the current venue record. The highest ODI score is 338/6, scored by Sri Lanka against the West Indies.
| ODI Record | Details |
| Matches | 28 |
| Highest Total | 338/6 – Sri Lanka |
| Highest Successful Chase | 314/4 – England |
| Average 1st Innings | Around 240 |
| Average 2nd Innings | Around 192 |
| Batting First Wins | 11 |
| Chasing Wins | 15 |
T20I Cricket Records
Riverside has hosted international T20 cricket since 2008. England’s 195/5 against Australia is the highest T20I total recorded at the venue.
The highest successful chase in the current venue record is England’s 143/3 against New Zealand.
| T20I Record | Details |
| Highest Total | 195/5 – England |
| Highest Successful Chase | 143/3 – England |
| Average 1st Innings | Around 137 |
| Average 2nd Innings | Around 125 |
| Chasing Wins | 6 |
| Batting First Wins | 3 |
Highest Score
England’s 569/6 declared against the West Indies is the highest international team score at Riverside Ground.
In ODI cricket, Sri Lanka’s 338/6 is the highest score, while England’s 195/5 is the highest T20I total.
| Format | Highest Score | Team |
| Test | 569/6d | England |
| ODI | 338/6 | Sri Lanka |
| T20I | 195/5 | England |
Lowest Score
Riverside Ground has also witnessed major batting collapses. Zimbabwe’s 94 against England is the lowest Test score recorded at the venue.
| Format | Lowest Score |
| Test | 94 – Zimbabwe |
| ODI | 98 |
| T20 | Below 100 |
Toss Prediction
The toss can be important at Riverside because weather conditions may change quickly. When there is cloud cover, captains may prefer bowling first because the new ball can move.
| Situation | Preferred Choice |
| Cloudy Conditions | Bowl First |
| Fresh Pitch | Bowl First |
| Clear Weather | Bat First Can Help |
| ODI | Chasing has performed well |
| Test | Batting First |
Chasing Record
Riverside has produced several successful chases in international cricket. England’s 314/4 against Australia is the highest successful ODI chase at the ground.
| Chasing Record | Details |
| Highest ODI Chase | 314/4 |
| Team | England |
| Opponent | Australia |
| Highest T20I Chase | 143/3 |
| ODI Chasing Wins | 15 |
Riverside Ground Weather Conditions
Weather is one of the biggest factors at Chester-le-Street. The area can experience cool temperatures, cloud cover, and rain during the English cricket season.
| Weather Factor | Impact |
| Cloud Cover | Helps seam movement |
| Rain | High interruption risk |
| Cool Conditions | Can support swing |
| Sunshine | Better batting conditions |
| Humidity | May aid movement |
| Evening | Conditions can change quickly |
Good Score at Riverside Ground
A competitive score depends on the format and weather. In T20 cricket, a total around 165–180 can provide a strong platform.
In ODI cricket, 260–290 can be competitive, while a total above 300 gives the bowling side a stronger advantage when the pitch offers movement.
| Format | Competitive Score |
| T20I | 165–180 |
| Strong T20I Score | 190+ |
| ODI | 260–290 |
| Strong ODI Score | 300+ |
| Test First Innings | 350+ |
Night Match Statistics
Night matches at Riverside can be strongly influenced by English weather. Under lights, the new ball may move more when the atmosphere is cool or cloudy.
| Factor | Expected Effect |
| New Ball | Swing possible |
| Cloud Cover | Helps bowlers |
| Dew | Possible |
| Rain | Major risk |
| Batting Later | Can improve |
Recent International Records
Riverside remained an active international venue in 2026. India played England in the first T20I of their 2026 series at Chester-le-Street.
| Recent Match | Result |
| India vs England T20I, 2026 | No result |
| India Score | 189/7 |
| England | Did not bat |
| Main Factor | Rain |
Recent T20I Matches
The most recent major T20I at the venue was India against England on 1 July 2026.
India scored 189/7 in their 20 overs. Rain then prevented England from beginning its innings, resulting in a no-result match.
| Match Detail | Information |
| Match | India vs England |
| Date | 1 July 2026 |
| India | 189/7 |
| England | Did not bat |
| Result | No result |
| Reason | Persistent rain |
Conclusion
The Riverside Ground continues to host international and domestic cricket fixtures, including the recent England white-ball team fixtures. Riverside Ground is among the modern international cricket grounds in England. It has been the home ground of Durham County Cricket Club, and it has hosted the World Cup matches and Tests. The Riverside Ground pitches are usually good for both batting and bowling. The fast bowling attack usually enjoys a lot of help from the new ball, especially when the ground is cold and cloudy. However, the batters also enjoy a good score on these pitches, especially when the innings gets going. It is also worth noting that the recent international matches at the Riverside Ground have demonstrated how much the weather can dictate the game at Chester-le-Street. Despite the challenges posed by the weather, Riverside Ground continues to be a favorite venue for many sports lovers in England.
FAQs
The Riverside Ground is located in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, England.
Durham County Cricket Club plays at Riverside Ground.
Riverside Ground is a balanced pitch, with the fast bowlers getting good help from the new ball.
The highest ODI score at Riverside Ground was recorded by Sri Lanka against West Indies, with a total of 338/6.
The regular domestic capacity at Riverside Ground is about 5,000, but the stadium can accommodate more fans due to the temporary seating arrangements.
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