Eastbourne head for Lord's

The Sussex League outfit will be thankful Sheffield Collegiate's most celebrated player Michael Vaughan will not be in the opposition line-up.

Eastbourne are playing in the final at 'the home of cricket' for the second time in four years.

In 1997 they defeated Harrogate to claim what is regarded as the greatest achievement in the club's history.

This time they tackle another Yorkshire Premier League side and team manager David Lockyer is relishing the occasion.

Lockyer said: "We have four coaches going up, which is more than 200 people, plus various other people going by different means.

"It is wonderful for the club and for the Sussex League as well. When I was involved in 1997 it was the greatest cricketing day of my life."

A total of 403 teams entered the 45 overs a side competition, organised by the England and Wales Cricket Board, and Eastbourne have won seven games to reach the final.

Lockyer said: "Seven of the team have played on the ground before and that has to be to our advantage."

Paul Stevens, who is joined in the side by brother Darren, skippers the team. Other key men will be bowlers Roger Myall and Paul Hacker plus batsmen David Kirtley, younger brother of Sussex quickie James, and Richard Halsall, who missed the semi final as he was on holiday.

Halsall, who has been the main run scorer for Eastbourne in the competition this year, played in the same Lancashire juniors side as Sheffield captain Ed McKenna.

McKenna's side have plenty of experience. Batsman Richard Kettle-borough had three years with Middlesex, Neil Priestley (Lincolnshire captain) and Nick Gaywood (Devon) have played Minor Counties cricket and bowler Mark Boocock toured Bangladesh with the MCC.

Vaughan had two seasons in the first team before moving to Yorkshire and coaches the club's juniors.

Eastbourne: P. Stevens, Halsall, D. Stevens, M. Stevens, Kirtley, Meacher, Cumming, Lord, Myall, Hacker, Smith. 12th man: Purdie.