MICHAEL Gray admitted the last thing his struggling Basildon & Pitsea wanted to see on Saturday was England and Essex all-rounder Ravi Bopara lining up against them.

The men from Mopsies Park travelled to high-flying Hainault & Clayhall looking for their first victory of the Shepherd Neame Essex Division Two season, following their promotion from Division Three last term.

But not only were they facing a team full of confidence, they were also up against Bopara, who was turning out for his club side with Essex enjoying a rare weekend off in the County Championship.

And Gray said, although it was a valuable experience for Basildon to test themselves against the medium-pace bowler, it was a bit of a shock when they arrived at the ground.

“We are struggling and when you turn up and see Ravi Bopara playing for the other team then you realise you are going to be in for a tough afternoon,” he said.

“It turned out he was available this weekend as Essex didn’t have a fixture and it just so happened to be the weekend we played them.

“That said, he didn’t take many wickets and he didn’t bat so we cant blame him for the result on the day.

“Rob (Davies) got 36 and he did well against Bopara and we all enjoyed the challenge.

“That is all you can do. We had to focus on the bowler they had up the other end but they were all very good bowlers.”

Bopara took 2-47 on Saturday as Hainault took a comfortable seven wicket victory to leave Basildon & Pitsea in the division’s relegation places.

He took the final two wickets of Craig Thompson and Dan Bedford in his 14.4 overs, which included three maidens, and didn’t bat.

But Gray said Bopara was only one player and he was impressed with the other talents Hainault had at their disposal.

He also added the next period of the season was ‘make or break’ for Basildon, who occupy the relegation places after four matches.

“They are a good side and have won every game so they will be right up there come the end of the season,” he said.

“We just need to keep going and they are in a different league to us the way they are playing.

“We have played the top four sides now and we need to look forward,” he said.

“We have a little cluster of games where we take on sides around us in the division and we need to pick up some points.

“It is early in the season but it is make or break in all honesty.”

Basildon welcome Old Southendian & Southchurch on Saturday before crunch matches against Oakfield Parkonians and Old Brentwoods before the end of the month.