Club prepared for annual benefit clash

Romford Recorder: Upminster captain Ollie Peck and Essex David Masters pose with the umpires ahead of the 2013 benefit match (pic: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO)Upminster captain Ollie Peck and Essex David Masters pose with the umpires ahead of the 2013 benefit match (pic: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO) (Image: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO c/o 27 Plaiters Way, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3LR - Editorial Use ONLY - FA Premier League and Football Lea...)

Upminster Cricket Club are looking forward to welcoming the England captain on Sunday.

Alastair Cook brings an Essex XI to Upminster Park as part of his benefit year and club officials are hoping for another big turnout.

The first team may have experienced a difficult season, being relegated from the Essex Premier Division, but the under-13s are in the Len Stentiford Cup final against Newham at Woodford Wells on Sunday morning.

Club spokesman Paul Middlemiss said: “I’m hoping they can get their hands on the cup and bring it back to Upminster for the afternoon to show everyone!

“This will be the 16th benefit match we have held since 1997, but obviously with Alastair being the current England captain it is even more exciting than normal.

“Everyone is looking forward to it. It has not been the best year compared with other recent seasons, but hopefully this will be a great day and will send everyone into the winter feeling positive.

“We always have great support from the Upminster public for these games and hope that with Alastair having had a great end to the Test summer with England, the game will generate even more support and interest than normal.”

Joining England captain Alastair Cook will be Essex skipper and Upminster Park regular James Foster, who is always a favourite with the benefit match crowds.

Former beneficiaries Graham Napier and David Masters will also line up with Cook, as will South Woodford’s Nick Browne, who has had a fine season for the county, Tymal Mills and Mark Pettini.

Making his debut in the fixture will be England spinner Monty Panesar, who has visited Upminster Park before as part of the 2006 CricketForce initiative.

Refreshments will be available from 11am, with the first innings in the 30-over match starting at 2pm.