England captain Alastair Cook expecting 'great atmosphere'

England captain Alastair Cook is expecting a "great atmosphere" at the Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground for the 4th Investec Ashes Test.

Durham will host its first Test match between England and Australia when play begins on Friday and the Three Lions skipper relishing playing in the north east.

He said: "I think the ground looks fantastic, these last couple of days. That big stand in front of the castle means there is going to be a great atmosphere here.

"We've had some good success when we've played up here as a team in Test cricket and One Day cricket, the lads are really looking forward to it.

"I think that it is great that different grounds get the opportunity to host an Ashes Test match. You can see how much excitement there is and hopefully that will continue over the next five days."

England finalise preparations

England have been practicing for the final time at the Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground before the start of the 4th Investec Ashes Test.

Graham Onions, Chris Tremlett and Tim Bresnan were all put through their paces out in the middle, as all three vow for the final place in the Three Lions side.

Alastair Cook's side are likely to stick with the same six batsmen, that started the third Test at Old Trafford and all of them netted today in the practice facilities behind The County Durham Stand.

The England skipper is scheduled to meet the media later today before the Australians arrive in the afternoon.

England train at Emirates Durham ICG ahead of 4th Ashes Test

England have been practicing at the Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground ahead of the 4th Investec Ashes Test.

After checking out the wicket, all the Three Lions squad took part in a warm-up with several high intensity fielding drills.

Following their fielding practice, captain Alastair Cook along with fellow batsmen Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell and Jonny Bairstow cranked up their preparations for the start of the Test on Friday with a two-hour net session in the facilities behind The County Durham Stand.

Cook and his Australian counterpart Michael Clarke are set to speak to the media tomorrow,  as the buildup for the Test continues ahead of the start on Friday.

Graham Onions: Playing in home Ashes Test would be a 'dream come true'

Graham Onions has revealed that it would be a "dream come true" to selected by England to play on his home ground in the 4th Investec Ashes Test at the Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground.

The 30-year-old has been called up to the squad to take on Australia at the home of Durham CCC, in the Test which begins on Friday.

When asked if this was the pinnacle of his career,  Graham said: "It definitely is, yes. I played here in 2009 against the West Indies, I remember it was absolutely freezing but it was a great day.

"To play against Australia on Friday, in front on my family would be amazing and to use a cliche, it would be a dream come true.

"It would be, I've played here all my career and from the age of being a young boy I've always wanted to play Test match cricket [on my home ground], so it would be nice to be selected on Friday to try and prove what I can do."

Graham has taken 32 wickets in his nine Test matches for England,  three of which came against the West Indies at Durham in 2009.

Australia net ahead of 4th Test

Australia have been netting at the Emirates Durham Cricket Ground ahead of the 4th Investec Ashes Test.

Young bowlers from around the region were putting them through their paces in the training facilities behind The County Durham Stand.

Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, David Warner and Ed Cowan were all in action as they begin their preparations for the start of play on Friday.

Nick van der Vesthasen, from Australia, was putting his countrymen to the test after traveling from Chesterfield, where he has been playing local cricket.

He said: "It was an amazing experience, to have them right next to you and to bowl to them it was surreal.

"I managed to get Smith out when he knicked it and and I bowled Mitchell Starc.

"I'm hoping Australia can bring it back by winning here, but watching them in the nets, it hasn't convinced me they can mount a comeback in the series."

England will be action in the nets later today.

Behind the Scenes with our Head Chef

 

Like the rest of the Durham staff, this week our Head Chef Mark Bennett will be feeling the heat in the kitchen!  He has been in hot demand with the press this week too with many people keen to hear from the man who will be feeding 'high protein and high energy' meals to the England and Australian  sides.

He and his team have been in planning since January for this week and will be serving thousands of people over the course of the 4th Ashes Test.  With locally sourced produce and different menus everyday, players, media and hospitality guests will be treated with some fine cuisine over the course of the five days.

Barmy Army vs Fanatics in 'Fan Ashes' t20 match

 As part of the festivities in Chester-le-Street in the lead up to the 4^th Investec Ashes Test Match the ‘Fans Ashes’ are also there for the taking with the Barmy Army CC taking on the Australian ‘Fanatics’ at Chester-le-Street Cricket Club on Thursday evening.

The general public are invited to attend and see all the colour and excitement of the opposing teams fans battle it out in a t20 match before the Test Match begins the following morning at Emirates Durham ICG.

When: Start time 5.30pm

Where: Chester-le-Street Cricket Club, Ropery Ln, Chester-le-Street, County Durham DH3 3PF

How much: Free entry

 For further information contact Tony Birbeck, Chester-le-Street CC on 07990836519