Storm Dave causes damage at Durham ground

April 5, 2026 No Comments

Storm Dave causes damage at Durham groundImage source, Martin EmmersonImage caption, Scaffolding holding up one of the sightscreens has blown downPublished5 April 2026, 10:19 BSTUpdated 2 minutes agoStorm Dave has caused damage to Durham’s Riverside ground at Chester-le-Street, including scaffolding holding a sightscreen being blown over.The start of the third day’s play in the County Championship Division Two match between Durham and Kent has also been delayed and fans were not allowed into the ground until just after 13:00 BST.Workers spent the morning clearing up debris including the large scaffolding structure and a wheeled cover that had been blown into one of the stands.Although spectators are now allowed to attend, play is still delayed because of wet areas on the pitch.Storm Dave hits road and rail travel but is set to ease

1 hour ago

Storm Dave has caused widespread disruption to road and rail travel in northern areas and led to numerous flood warning being issues, but conditions are expected to ease as Sunday goes on.

Yellow wind warnings covering Scotland, north-west wales and parts of northern England, which saw blustery conditions on Saturday and overnight, were lifted on Sunday morning.

Durham are set to resume on 83-2 in the second innings of their opening Championship game of the new domestic season and lead Kent by 221 runs.

The north-east county were relegated from Division One last summer.

Covers blown into the stand — Image caption,

Covers have also been blown into the stand

‘Main issue now appears to be pitch’

Analysis – BBC Radio Newcastle’s Martin Emmerson

Storm Dave has left a mark in the North East with damage caused at The Riverside in Chester-le-Street.

A scaffolding platform, which was holding the site screen at the Finchale End of the ground, has blown down. It has damaged fencing and is lying across a section of seating. Scaffolders were busy taking it apart.

Stadium staff say they will be able to put something in place to help the batsmen. But the main issue now appears to be the pitch. Gusts of 70mph hit the ground last night and one of the wheeled covers is lying on its back in the East Stand. And that means there’s quite a bit of water on the track.

The umpires say play can’t resume until the pitch dries out. It looks rather wet at the far end. And that may be the reason we don’t have any play here today. It is sunny though and breezy. In theory it’s a good drying day.

Fans are now allowed in, however, there’s nothing to watch at the moment. It’s a waiting game.