See Spitfires, Sharks and Unicorns in Southend!

South Essex residents will get the chance to hear the wonderful thwack of leather on willow when CB40 cricket comes to Garon Park over the Queen’s Jubilee weekend.

Whilst Essex County Cricket Club are not taking part in this year’s Southend Jubilee Cricket Festival their place has been taken by the Unicorns.

The Unicorns, a side consisting of non-contracted players from Minor Counties, Universities and club sides, face Sussex Sharks on Sunday 3rd June and Kent Spitfires on Tuesday 5th June.

They caused an upset when they beat the Spitfires at Canterbury on Sunday and will be looking to do the double when the men from the Garden of England come to Southend for the return.

This year’s festival is being organised by the newly-formed Southend Cricket Festival Limited and Committee (SCF) with all profits staying in Southend for the development of Garon Park.

SCF co-founder and Essex CCC General Committee member, Mike Smith, said: “After Essex pulled out of this year’s festival it was essential to keep top class cricket at Garon Park.

“Being able to secure Sussex and Kent for their CB40 matches against the Unicorns was a major success.

“We now need the local community to support us so we can demonstrate the appetite for cricket at all levels in South Essex.”

SCF has continued its tradition of organising events around the cricket to ensure that it really is a festival for all the family.

These include Kids Kwik Cricket, the Shepherd Neame Beer Festival, the ‘Joker in the Park’ event from the Joker Comedy Club and the Trevor Bailey Memorial Dinner.

SCF Chairman, Baiju Solanki, said: “We are really excited to have two first class counties coming to Southend with household names like Monty Panesar in their ranks.

“I want to pass on the committee’s sincere thanks to Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, the Essex and Southend Sports Trust and those local businesses supporting the festival.”

The CB40 matches at the Southend Cricket Festival are:

Unicorns v Sussex Sharks – Sunday 3rd June, starts 1:45pm

Unicorns v Kent Spitfires – Tuesday 5th June, starts 1:45pm

For full details of all cricket plus other festival events, and to book tickets, please visit:

www.southendcricket.org.uk 

For details of the community ticket scheme, sponsorship and corporate opportunities please call Neil Harding on 07778-126098.