The first significant match played at Chester-le-Street was when Durham took on the touring New Zealanders in 1992, but it was when Durham were awarded first-class status in 1992 that the development really took off and an international-standard stadium has now been constructed. The hard work was rewarded in 1999 when the ground was awarded two matches in the World Cup, and the following year England played a NatWest Series game. In 2003, the venue because the first new Test ground in England since 1902 when it staged a match against ZImbabwe, and it is now has a firm place on the international fixture list, although Chester-le-Street still has to take in place in the pecking order below the established grounds.
It's a long walk from the train station or bus and, once there, spectators face a long day if exposed to the cold. And exposed is the word: the stands around three-quarters of the ground are fairly low, although compensation is made in some part by a fine view of Lumley Castle over the open eastern side from the west and south stands.
The old ground had a limited capacity, although 5000 watched the 1972 Gillette Cup tie against Surrey. In 2000, more than 15,000 watched an England ODI, although that capacity was reduced to 12000, which included a fair amount of temporary seating.