TICKETS are “selling steadily” for Essex’s first competitive match in Suffolk for nearly 20 years.

Essex, whose side could include Ashes hero Alastair Cook and England World Cup all-rounder Ravi Bopara, will face the Unicorns in a Clydesdale Bank 40 League group game on Sunday, May 8 at the Victory Ground in Bury St Edmunds.

Paul Whittaker, vice-chairman of Bury St Edmunds Cricket Club and one of the organisers, said: “Tickets are selling steadily. We have sold around �1,500 worth of tickets, which is at least 200 tickets, through the club.”

Whittaker said that as tickets were also being sold via the Essex and Unicorns’ own websites, the total number of tickets sold so far was greater than that.

“We are encouraging people to buy tickets in advance because not only are they cheaper but it will help us in terms of knowing what numbers to cater for.

“We are expecting a crowd of at least 1,000 for the match, although we have capacity for around 2,000,” added Whittaker.

Essex have not played a competitive match in Suffolk since 1993, when they beat their hosts by 121 runs in the first round of the NatWest Trophy.

The Unicorns, whose squad is drawn from players without full-time contracts at one of the first-class counties, were admitted to the competition for the first time last season.

The team of Minor County, university, recreational and club cricketers recorded victories over Glamorgan, Sussex and Worcestershire in their inaugural season, including re-writing the record books as they chased down a target of 325 - the record total for a team batting second in the history of 40-over cricket – to defeat Sussex by six wickets.

Tickets for the match, which starts at 1.45pm, are priced �10 for adults and �5 for under 16s or over 65s or �24 for a family ticket (two adults and two under 16s) if bought in advance.

Prices on the day of the match will be �15 for adults, �8 for concessions and �35 for a family ticket.

There will be a cost of �3 for car parking.

They are available through the club by sending cheques made payable to Bury St Edmunds CC c/o Hengrave Lodge, Hengrave, Suffolk IP28 6LT or contact David Barker on 01449 781286 or email david@ejbarker.co.uk.

Tickets can also be purchased from the Intersport shop in Whiting Street, Bury St Edmunds or via either www.essexcricket.org.uk or www.unicorns40.co.uk.

Limited seating will be available at the ground, but spectators can take their own chairs or rug. There will also be a cash bar and freshly prepared food available.