The Colchester Cricket Festival will be minus the town’s own cricketing superstar Graham Napier when the action begins at Castle Park today.

Napier is struggling with a niggling injury and will sit out the LV County Championship division two clash with Surrey (11am start), although he may be fit for Sunday’s Pro40 clash against Worcestershire Royals.

However, despite the blow of losing all-rounder Napier, who would have been playing on his home ground, Essex go into the match knowing that they can still win promotion if they claim victory in four of their last five games.

With Surrey’s prolific batsman Mark Ramprakash on display, it should prove to be an exciting week, with both sides in need of full points.

Essex skipper Mark Pettini told the Gazette that the Colchester crowd should see a result.

He said: “If we win three of our last five matches we will be right up there in the promotion mix so it is all still to play for.

“Colchester, like Garon Park, is a result wicket and we have been on the right side of results here in the last few years.

“Sometimes when you play sides who are not right at the top they field a weakened team.

“And being this time of the season it means teams will be keen to gain a result so they will be prepared to set up a game of cricket – like we did at Middlesex last week.

“We are certainly up for it and will be going all out to win the game and give the Colchester people a decent week.

“It’s a beautiful ground and I’ve been fortunate enough to score plenty of runs at Colchester during recent years.

“There are lovely views from the middle and the outfield and square are always pretty decent – the only downside is it’s a massive walk back to the pavilion when you get out!”

Pettini said he expects David Masters to be the man to put the shackles on the dangerous Ramprakash, who has scored 1,209 championship runs this season at an average of more than 100.

Ramprakash was tipped for an England recall for the final Ashes Test but was overlooked as the selectors chose Jonathan Trott instead.

Trott is taking the place of Ravi Bopara, who will be lining up for Essex at Colchester instead.

England’s decision to axe Bopara works massively in Essex’s favour – as seen in last week’s win over Middlesex at Lord’s when Bopara led Essex home with a well-guided 52 not out.

Essex: John Maunders, Tom Westley, Ravi Bopara, Matt Walker, Mark Pettini (Captain), James Foster (Wicket Keeper), Ryan ten Doeschate, Tim Philips, Chris Wright, David Masters, Danish Kaneria.

Tickets: Wednesday 19th-Saturday 22nd August, LV County Championship, Essex v Surrey: Adults £15, Under-18s £7.50.

Sunday 23rd August, NatWest Pro40 Division 1, Essex Eagles v Worcestershire Royals: Advance book now and save: Adults £16, Under-18s £8. On the gate: Adults £18, Under-18s £9.

Parking is available on all days in the Lower Castle Park, Catchpole Road Entrance.

Essex Cricket Members can park for free and non-members can park for £5 per car. Places are available on a first-come, first-served basis.