Durham built their new ground at Chester-le-Street with the aim of becoming a regular venue for international cricket, but while they have been given one-day internationals the arrival of Test matches looks set to be put on hold for another seven years.

The ground will host the one-day match between Australia and Pakistan this summer and also hosted England against West Indies last summer and some World Cup games, but that does not satisfy Midgeley.

"Before this summer is out, there will be decisions made regarding international matches and Test matches for the years 2003 to 2007," he said.

"We've made no secret of our ambition to see Test match cricket on this ground. It was built as an international ground and we are already well down the way in planning how we can further improve and develop the facilities.

"I have to say that the noises that are coming back from those who control cricket are not encouraging and I find it extremely disappointing that it looks as though we shall be squeezed out of Test match status at least before 2008.

"That smacks of those who control cricket trying to keep to the old boy network of what has applied for the last 100 and goodness knows how many years.

Financial return

"We are, in the north, fighters and we shall take this fight elsewhere because there's got to be fair consideration as to why Test match cricket is played on some grounds where quite patently the support is just not there.

"If cricket claims to be responsible and is to give itself a reasonable financial return, then it's got to look not only at Durham but those other emerging grounds around the country over the next few years.

"We will show in June what we can do in the north east of England. We demonstrated that last year and we shall demonstrate it this year and next year.

"I think the greatest case that we can make is to show that there's support for cricket in the north east and support through corporate support and through the way in which we organise the whole day."