Burnham Sports hope to have Joel Whittaker back among their ranks when they play Thurrock (start 1pm) at Millfields on Saturday.

In-form Whittaker had to pull out of Burnham’s latest match, at home to Goresbrook, on the morning of the match with a virus.

In his absence, his team-mates were crushed by 165 runs – being ripped apart by Israel Ochwo, whose reputation for being the quickest bowler in the T Rippon Mid-Essex League Premier Division looks fully merited.

Ochwo is estimated to bowl at around 80mph and, aided by a strong breeze, the paceman simply blew Burnham away.

He bowled six of their first seven batsmen with a succession of yorkers as the home side crumbled to 68 all out in pursuit of 234.

Sports have rarely been beaten by such a margin and the match against Thurrock will be a big test of their character.

“We all knew this season was going to be a big challenge, but we are not going to bump into bowlers of Israel’s calibre every week,” Andy Stephens, who returned to Burnham’s side at the weekend, said. “We are on a learning curve and there are going to be a few harsh lessons, like Saturday, along the way.

“The boys should not lose sight of the fact that we got into a winning position against Great Baddow on the opening day of the season, though, or that the fixture list has thrown up three very tough games for starters.

“Goresbrook are a young, quality team who will more than hold their own against the best around this term.

“The same applies to Thurrock, while our games against Springfield, Bentley and Old Chelmsfordians will also demand a deep breath.

“We’ve got to stay strong and not feel sorry for ourselves.”