The Ashes do not return to the UK for over three years but Durham have set their sights on the 2009 series to host a Test. They have
made a bid that includes a West Indies Test in 2007 and an ODI between England and South Africa in 2008.

�..Last year the Ashes captured the imagination of the nation, not least here in the North-East with Stephen Harmison�..s and Paul Collingwood�..s
involvement,�.� says Durham chairman Clive Leach. �..It�..s our intention to bring one of the greatest sporting events to the Riverside�.�