THE eyes of the cricketing world will descend on Brisbane when the first Ashes Test between England and Australia gets underway on November 23.

However, as unlikely as it sounds, perhaps nowhere will the burning sense of pride and passion be more keenly felt than on the other side of the world, here in north Essex.

Aside from obvious patriotism, one of Frinton’s own, Ben Foakes, could be stepping out for the biggest moment of his flourishing career.

The 24-year-old learnt his trade at the town’s cricket club, starting playing when he was just six, and has since gone from strength to strength with Essex, Surrey and now, incredibly, England.

His every movement will be watched and supported and few, aside from his family, will feel that connection more than long-serving Frinton coach and stalwart Tony Stubbs.

“I feel enormously honoured and privileged to have coached Ben, as I do with every child that comes along,” he said.

“I enjoy it so much and take my responsibilities very seriously.

“To see boys I know achieving success like this is quite incredible.

“Ben’s the one with the talent and work ethic but to think I’ve played any part in his development is a very special feeling.

“If and when he plays, I’ll be batting every delivery with him!

“I just want him to do well and it’ll be great to see him score his first runs and take his first catch.

“Ben always showed so much potential and I thought he could be destined for big things.

“He’s got so much natural talent but his attitude has also taken him such a long way.

“He’s got the right work ethic and bags of drive, determination and focus.

“I always rated him, as I did his brother, Matt.

“Matt’s a terrific player in his own right and that competition between the two really helped Ben’s development.

“They spurred each other on and it was healthy for both of them to have each other to play alongside.

“Ben always played in a higher age group because I felt he needed challenging and stretching.”

Unsurprisingly, his heroics brought him to the attention of Essex from an early age and he was soon playing for the county, working his way through the age groups.

“Even then, playing alongside older boys, he would bat at three and score lots of runs and I’ll never forget an under-16s game against a local side,” added Stubbs, who has been coaching at Frinton since 1997, as well as being a highly-successful coach in South Africa where he steered his Johannesburg club to their provincial Premier League.

“Ben was only 14 and, being quite a small lad, the bowlers thought they could bounce him out.

“They thought he’d be an easy target because of his size but he rose to the challenge, pulling everything they bowled at him.

“He was regularly playing first-team cricket for us from the age of 15.

“Another incident that springs to mind was an amazing catch, when he was keeping wicket at Ashlyns Road.

“He absolutely flung himself to his left, having jackknifed, to take the most spectacular one-handed catch off the opening bowler.

“I was fielding nearby and had a perfect view and I remember everyone was stunned and open-mouthed afterwards.

“It was an outrageous moment and you could see everyone asking themselves ‘what has he just done’.

“Ben was brilliant and so quick with his hands when it came to stumpings.

“His lightning reflexes were too quick for many umpires, who couldn’t keep up with him.

“It was very clear he was a talented boy but the lovely thing is that he was and still is so down to earth.

“He expected to take those catches and his standards have always been sky high.

“For me, though, it was a real standout moment.

“Ben’s from a very strong family unit and received so much support from his parents, Peter (a former Premier League football referee who sadly passed away in 2006) and Fiona.

“Peter used to spend lots of time in the nets with the boys, relentlessly throwing balls.

“Ben also used to spend a lot of time at the golf and tennis clubs and I remember joking with the people there that he needed to concentrate on his cricket.

“It was all good fun and just good to see him playing sport and being active and healthy.”

Stubbs believes’ Foakes work-ethic and down-to-earth personality have been a key part of his success – and why he would not be fazed if selected Down Under.

“Ever since I’ve known him, his temperament has been perfect,” he said.

“He never gets flustered and takes everything in his stride.

“He handles pressure because he’s so mentally strong and that’s something I could tell from an early age.

“He’s quite a quiet lad but he’s not afraid of any scenario on a cricket pitch.

“He was still playing for us as recently as 2014 and I remember he played in our Two Counties Championship play-off against Ramsey.

“He was getting some real sledging but it was like water off a duck’s back and far from being unsettled, he shared a match-winning partnership with Justin Greaves to help Frinton achieve promotion to the Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League.

“Ben hasn’t changed one bit, which is lovely and a testament to the person he is.

“Personally, I think he’ll play in Australia. It just seems a natural progression for him, having represented England Under-17s, England Under-19s and the England Lions.

“England still haven’t solved their problems at number three and five.

“I’m convinced that at some stage he’ll get his chance and when that happens, I’d love the selectors to stick with him, back him and give him an extended run in the side.

“He’s an excellent wicketkeeper who can also bat seriously well (his average with the red ball last season was 42.50) and a great option for now but also long-term.

“He won’t be fazed by it, that’s for sure.

“He’ll absolutely relish the challenge and he’s always coped with pressure, throughout his cricket career.

“He’s got mental strength and that’s why he’ll fit in so well.

“Playing him makes so much sense, in my opinion.

“I know I’m biased but to me, it’s an obvious selection.

“He’s the genuine article with all the tools to have a long and successful international career.

“He’s only going to get better, the more exposure and experience he gains.”

Stubbs, who grew up in north Lincolnshire before moving to Frinton with his parents in 1980, believes Foakes was always destined to play on the biggest stage of them all – in an Ashes series.

And he says everyone connected with his home-town club will enjoy following the series on TV.

“Ben’s destined for this moment and, as a club, we’re hugely proud,” he said.

“Personally, I’m absolutely overjoyed and feel very proud.

“I know what it means to him and his family and I’m not surprised in the least that he’s received this call-up.

“He’s rated very highly in the game – rightly so – and I heard Alec Stewart describe him as the best wicketkeeper in the world this summer. That’s incredible praise, coming from him.

“To see him flourishing like this is wonderful and so inspirational for all the young players at our club.

“It’s a great advert for Frinton Cricket Club.

“Our senior teams are full of young, local talent and without them the club wouldn’t exist.

“Whatever level they reach, the most important thing is that they enjoy their cricket and develop a love for the game that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.”

While many are less than confident about England’s chances, Stubbs believes they have every chance of success Down Under.

“I think we’ll do well – far better than the media are saying,” he said.

“The England team are being written off and described as having the worst batting line-up we’ve ever had for an Ashes series.

“But that will just make them a tighter unit and I think the criticism is unfair.

“There are some very, very talented cricketers in our squad – the likes of Cook, Root, Stokes, Bairstow, Ali, Broad and Anderson.

“Australia aren’t exactly in the best of health themselves at the moment and if we can get off to a good start, I’d honestly back us to win.

“It’s a two-horse race, so why can’t that happen?

“It’s not fair to say we haven’t got a chance and it’s a great opportunity for others in the squad – the less obvious names - to come forward and make a name for themselves.

“Hopefully Ben can be one of those to grab their opportunity and shoot to prominence.”