The prospect of international cricket's got the small Hampshire village of Appleshaw buzzing with excitement.
The village's cricket team's been awarded a surprise entry into next season's Indian Premier League, the 20 overs a side competition that sees eligible players auctioned off for thousands of pounds at a time.
"We were stunned." first XI captain and groundsman Steve Bennett told reporters. "I've been involved with the club for 15 years and this is the best thing to happen since WG Grace played here in the 19th century."
"To be honest, it's taken us all by surprise. We jokingly sent off an application for next season's IPL based on the fact that we're a pretty good knockout cup side and that's based on 20 overs. It's what most of us have grown up playing. And then bugger me, if they didn't accept us."
The ground will need some work to bring it up to IPL standards; for instance there's no permamnent seating as Test Valley District Council won't allow them to have such structures. The club house has House Martins nesting under the eaves and there's a real concern an influx of several thousand cricket fans could disturb them.
And if the ground's a worry, Steve Bennett's more concerned about the team and the pitch.
"If I'm brutally honest, the club doesn't really have the funds to buy the likes of Dale Steyn and Irfan Pathan. But we can hold our own, as long as Lasith Malinga doesn't break Jim Starnes' fingers in the first over. Jim's our star bastman but he's 68 now and not as sharp between the wickets as he once was."
"The other thing I'm slightly worried about is the fixture congestion. But I'm sure the league will be more understanding than the Scouts were. They'd booked the pavilion for as spring fund-raiser on the day we're facing the Dehli Daredevils, and they've refused to change to another day. Bastards."
A spokesman for the IPL confirmed the Hampshire side had been accepted into next season's competition. "We're very excited at being able to take the IPL international, although some of our existing teams have raised concerns about the amount of travel involved, especially as Appleshaw doesn't have an international airport yet. But we've been reassured that helicopters can land in Farmer Harris' big field when it's not flooded."