Three years ago Matt Gray told the Foxton Cricket Club commitee he was confident he could guide the side to Lord’s via the National Village Cup. This Sunday that aspiration becomes reality.

Having battled through seven rounds, culminating with their nerve-shredding five-run victory over Goatacre in the final four just over a month ago, they take their place opposite holders Woodhouse Grange at the home of cricket.

The South Yorkshire club provide sturdy adversaries, having won the trophy four times and made seven of the past 15 finals, but coach Gray believes the Foxes have enough in the locker to unsettle the competition veterans.

Gray told the Crow: “Woodhouse are certainly an established team and will know how to handle the pressure of playing at Lord’s but perhaps if they take us lightly that may be the thing to trip them up.

“With all the quirky rules of the competition such as no overseas players allowed and this and that, we feel we are on a level playing field and have enough ammunition in the bank to trouble them but we do also need a bit of luck on the day.

“As you can imagine there is a huge buzz around the club now. Our aim first and foremost was to get to the final but now we’re here we want to get our names on the trophy forever. That is what it is ultimately all about and that fate is in our own hands.”

Grange have been stung by Cambridgeshire opponents in recent times, having lost out to Reed in the 2012 final, and Gray hopes the likes of Cei Sanderson, scorer of three successive centuries in the competition, or Jeff Douglas, who grabbed the final wicket against Goatacre, can step up to the plate, just as Tom Greaves on that day.

He continued: “The fact we have got to the final shows the strength of cricket in this area. If we can pull off the victory it would be amazing.

“Jeff and Cei were our standout performers in the semi-final and as you know, in cricket it just takes one person to take the game away from you. If they, or someone else, can do it, that’s all that matters to us.”

Foxton have been handed the home dressing room, of course used by this summer’s Ashes heroes in the second test back in July, one of many highlights on a special day for the coach.

Gray said: “It will be a proud moment to see that Foxton flag flying high above the dressing room come Sunday.

“Walking out of that Long Room, whether it be for a warm-up or practice, will be immense and something we will never forget.

“We are taking three coach loads down there which from the village is massive support so we need one final push to get us over the line in front our followers.”