STANFORD-le-Hope Cricket Club is busy preparing for the most historic match in its history.

Next Thursday, 29 May, SLHCC will take on the world-famous Marylebone Cricket Club as it celebrates 100 years of cricket being played at Stanford Recreation Ground.

The SLHCC 1st XI, who currently play in the Hamro Foundation Essex League Division 2, will play an MCC XI captained by locally-based Danny Joyce in an all-day game starting at 11.30am.

A club spokesperson said: "It is a real honour for SLHCC to host MCC at Stanford Rec. 

"To commemorate the occasion, the club is inviting the local community to watch the match and around 5pm will be hosting a "Community Tea" when all spectators will be invited into the clubhouse to have a free slice of cake and enjoy the Stanford-le-Hope Recreation Ground User Group facilities. 

"SLHCC is extremely grateful to local cake-makers and to its own members and their families for donating the delicious cakes free of charge.

"29th May will be such a special day for the town of Stanford-le-Hope and SLHCC hopes that the local community will come along to Stanford Rec (accessed by car via Grove Road) to watch some excellent cricket, which should not finish until at least 6.30pm. 

"The Club hopes for good weather, but whatever the elements, the Community Tea will be going ahead regardless.

"We look forward to seeing many spectators at Stanford Rec!"