VIDEO: Frinton Cricket Club's cricket week is "one of the biggest in the country"

FRINTON Cricket Club are getting set for their showpiece festival week - an event they believe to be one of the biggest of its kind in the UK.

Players, members and supporters are ready for a packed schedule of matches, with the action getting underway on Saturday when the club's first team host Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League leaders Sudbury.

The Essex Cricket Academy will be bringing some of the county's hottest young talent to Ashlyns Road on Sunday and another big highlight will be Thursday's popular contest against a Caribbean XI.

"We believe our cricket week is one of the biggest in the country," said Frinton committee member Chris Armstrong.

"Lots of clubs have their own festivals but they're usually held over a long weekend.

"For us, if you include the regular league matches at the beginning and end, it's eight solid days of cricket.

"We start with a big Premier League match at home to leaders Sudbury and then finish with the second team playing here on Saturday week.

"There's so much to look forward to and some fantastic games, including Sunday's showpiece match against the Essex Academy.

"It's a chance to see some of the county's best young talent in action and is always a very popular and enjoyable match.

"We really feel we've got the mix right in terms of having showcase matches like that, some really hard, competitive cricket and also some social cricket, which is also very important to the club."

The Essex match gets underway at 11am and the format will be two T20 games.

Monday's game sees a President's XI take on the Gents of Essex and on the Tuesday it's Frinton against a William Hartnell XI.

Finchley Cricket Club provide the opposition on Wednesday while Thursday promises to be a day of colour and atmosphere as a Caribbean XI bring their brand of flamboyant cricket to Frinton.

All the games from Monday to Thursday start at 11.30am.

Friday is T20 day and there are three matches in the diary - the Barflies against the Barbarians (10am), Frinton Ladies against Mistley Ladies (1.30pm) and Frinton Colts v Dads (5pm).

"It's a big deal for our club but also a major attraction for the town," added Armstrong.

"People come from far and wide to join us and for many, I know it's in their diaries months in advance.

"From our point of view, it's a great chance to showcase our club.

"Cricket week has been going since the end of the First World War.

"It continues to go from strength to strength and it's what separates us from other clubs."

This year's caterers are Milsoms.

Anyone wishing to book a table on any day should contact Ella Byatt on 07765 578245 or email frintoncricketweek@outlook.com