Test match protest likely

Zimbabwe have been confirmed as England's opposition for the first ever five day test match to be held at Durham's Riverside ground in Chester-le-Street, between 5-9 June.

But Peter Tatchell, who led a group which stormed a press conference over the England and Wales Cricket Board's decision to play in the World Cup in Zimbabwe, says a protest at Chester-le-Street could take place.

The Zimbabwe Cricket Union says it has agreed to fulfil tour commitments from May to July, regardless of England's boycott of their World Cup fixture in Harare in February.

But Mr Tatchell said: "I have no quarrel with the Zimbabwe cricketers, but with the country they represent.

Sporting boycott

"It is a great pity that such an auspicious occasion will be tainted by the presence of a country which does not respect democracy or human rights.

"I believe there should be a cultural and sporting boycott of Zimbabwe, in the same way as there was of South Africa over apartheid."

Durham County Cricket Club chairman Bill Midgley said: "We are aware that there could be protests, but we simply hope that sport will transcend that.

"History has shown that sport is a great mediator.

"If we looked at the human rights records of various countries we play at different sports, we would probably only be playing about a quarter of the countries we play now."

The Chester-le-Street venue is England's most northerly.

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