A WHOLE host of former international cricketers will be heading to Hadleigh & Thundersley to appear in the club’s latest international day.

Hadleigh - who are currently top of the Shepherd Neame Essex League Division One table - will be facing a Lashings side including former England stars Devon Malcolm and Chris Lewis and West Indian legend Gordon Greenidge at their John Burrows Park base this afternoon.

And Hadleigh’s David Williams cannot wait for the game, which is 35 overs per innings, to get underway.

“It’s always a really good day and one everyone at the club looks forward to and it’s definitely the same this year too,” said Williams.

“It’s always well attended and it raises plenty of money for some good causes.

“It’s a pleasure to have so many big names coming down to play and it’s always a memorable occasion so I’m sure this year will be exactly the same.

“It’s free entry and it would be great to see as many people coming down to watch and take part in everything that is going on.”

Fidel Edwards - who played 55 Test matches for West Indies - will be among those in action for Lashings this afternoon and joining him in the side will be former Pakistan international Yasir Arafat and ex-England leg spinner Chris Schofield, who will skipper a Lashings side who have not been beaten in their last 61 outings.

And their manager David Smith is keen to extend their amazing run of results.

“The season has gone well so far and we want to try and keep that going while having fun along the way,” said Smith.

“We’ve played a variety of teams during that time but we’re a side who look to try and do things properly.

“Hadleigh & Thundersley are a strong side too though and I understand they’re playing their first team this time.

“In the past they have brought a few in but this year they’re playing their first team and they’re top of the league at the moment so it has the makings of another really good game.

“This will be my third year coming to Hadleigh and the previous two games were both very competitive.

“We managed to win them both but it’s always a good day and I’m sure it will be again.

“It’s always nice to see families coming down to watch and the club really make a day of it with the marquees going up.

“It’s great to be coming back and we look forward to seeing everyone in Hadleigh again.”

Gates for the game open at 12 noon, with the match getting underway at 3pm.