SUFFOLK cricket fans have a chance to watch an international side in action on Wednesday when Denmark visit Copdock for a Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy first round match (start 10.45am).

SUFFOLK cricket fans have a chance to watch an international side in action on Wednesday, when Denmark visit Copdock for a Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy first round match (start 10.45am).

The winners go on to play Herefordshire at home on September 13 – Suffolk will play at Bury St Edmunds – as the first two rounds of the 2002 competition are played out this year.

This gives a chance for successful Minor County sides to then prepare for a home tie against a first class county in nine months time.

Cricket is played at a few places on mainland Europe with Holland the best known, but there is also a smaller but eager following in the Scandanavian country of Denmark.

They have produced a few first class players with Ole Mortensen playing for Derbyshire for a number of years as a bowler and facing Suffolk in the NatWest Trophy at Bury St Edmunds in the Eighties.

The Danes arrived in Ipswich today and will provide stiff opposition for a full strength Suffolk side that includes South African Dave Callaghan.

The all-rounder, who turns out for Lytham St Anne's, has played in Suffolk's C&G games for the last three seasons, and was a major factor in the county reaching the third round of the 2001 competition before losing to Nottinghamshire at Mildenhall.

With former England Test star Bill Athey and ex-Derbyshire batsman Andy Brown also in the side, Suffolk have the experience to see off the Danes.

Kevin Brooks, who has confirmed his intention to carry on as Suffolk's director of cricket next season, said today: "It will be tough, but we have players with the ability to see us through. However, it will need to be a collective team effort."

Suffolk failed to win one of their six Minor Counties championship games and just avoided the wooden spoon, but they have done better in one-day games.

"Our batting let us down in the county championship," added Brooks. "In three of the games we were in a position where we could easily have pushed on and won.

"Our final game against Buckinghamshire was effectively a one-day match after rain washed out the first two days, and we did very well – coming within a whisker of successfully chasing an big target."

Suffolk, who will be led by Phil Caley, have made two changes to the side that played Bucks. Gary Kirk, their most successful bowler in recent seasons, is now fit enough to return after a back problem and he replaces young paceman David Cross. Callaghan comes in for Exning batsman Tim Catley.

Chris Swallow, a former Copdock player who now plays for Clacton, retains his place and gives an extra spinning option along with Caley and Russell Catley, who scored a majestic century against Bucks.

County coach Brown and Caley have, like Brooks, put themselves forward to the Suffolk committee to carry on in 2002.

A special marquee has been erected at a Copdock ground that is situated in Old London Road, opposite the Moat House Hotel. A big crowd is expected for this 50-over a side contest.

Tomorrow's teams:

Suffolk: P Caley (captain), R Catley, I Graham, A Brown, B Athey, D Callaghan, C Seal, C Warn (keeper), R Pineo, C Swallow, G Kirk.

Denmark: Aftab Ahmad (captain), F Klokker (keeper), Saad Hafeez, M Lund, C Pedersen, T Crabb, B Chawla, H S Hansen, M Overgaard, Mohammad Siddiq, M Christiansen. 12th man: R Maron.