SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown thoroughly enjoying swapping football for cricket during a short break from pre-season training.

Brown took his Shrimpers side to Southend & EMT Cricket Club for a 20 over game.

And, despite Blues suffering a 20 run defeat at Southchurch Park, Brown loved trying his hand at a different sport.

"The cricketers were way above where we were but it was great fun," said Brown.

"It took my mind off things for the first time in about five weeks and it made a nice change to stop thinking about the Blackburn Rovers game because that hasn't happened too much lately.

"I really enjoyed it and Southend Cricket Club’s hospitality was first class.

"They had a barbecue on for us and I had a couple of beers with the people there too who made us feel very welcome.

"The players enjoyed it too and I'm still laughing about it now."

And Brown particularly liked the involvement of Dru Yearwood and Marc-Antonie Fortune.

"Dru came out in a crash helmet even though the bowlers weren't going full pelt at us and then he changed down the wicket celebrating his first run," said Brown.

"Marc-Antoine Fortune was also hilarious too so it was a great afternoon for us all."