Colchester and East Essex captain Jake Foley has vowed to take the game to Wanstead and Snaresbrook when they visit the Shepherd Neame Essex League leaders tomorrow.

The Castle Park side head into the premier division fixture bottom of the table but buoyed by their morale-boosting three-wicket victory over Ilford.

Colchester need more wins to cement their top-flight status and skipper Foley says they will embrace their trip to play the top-of-the-table side, rather than fear it.

Foley said: “We’re playing the leaders and it’ll be a tough game but we’re a bit of a bogey team for them.

“They haven’t beaten us in the league for quite a while so hopefully that will continue.

“Wanstead are top of the league and performing well in all competitions but we will aim to take the game to them.

“It was a massive win for us against Ilford.

“We knew with Upminster and Southend playing each other this weekend there was an even greater need for us to get the 20 points - the lads are in high spirits.”

Colchester are set to be boosted by the return of opener Julian Russell tomorrow.

The experienced batsman’s availability has been limited at times this season but he is available for selection, this weekend.

Foley added: “Julian is back on Saturday and that will strengthen us further.

“We will go into the game with a strong squad and we feel a good chance of winning.

“We’ll look to add an extra batsman this weekend.”

Meanwhile, Colchester and East Essex seamer Ben Allison was presented with his England cap by former Surrey batsman Graham Thorpe after making his international bow in their U19 One Day defeat against India.

Allison, along with Derbyshire off-spinner Hamidullah Qadri, received their first England caps from ECB lead batting coach Thorpe, prior to the game.

The Essex youngster earned figures of one for 13 from his first five overs, dented only slightly when Shubman Gill clipped him for the winning boundary.

Allison claimed the consolation of his first England wicket, as with India needing only five for victory, Rana top-edged a pull to Blatherwick at deep square leg.

England were beaten by eight wickets in front of the Sky Sports cameras in Canterbury to leave them 2-0 down in the five-match Royal London One-Day Series against India.