LYDNEY born Glamorgan and England cricket star Steve James will be returning to home soil this Friday.

As part of his benefit year events Steve – famed in Cardiff as Sidney from Lydney – will lead out a star-studded team against a Lydney Select Xl at Lydney's Recreation Ground – a match Steve says is one of the most important in his packed programme.

"I'm really looking forward to the game and to meeting up with some familiar faces again. It's where I played all my cricket as a youngster and it will always be one of my favourite grounds," he said.

Steve, captain of Glamorgan this year, includes some well known players in his team, among them Steve Watkin, Adrian Dale, Mathew Maynard and Mike Powell.

A number of the players, including Adrian Dale who played for Chepstow, will know the Lydney ground well having played club cricket there before progressing to county status.

Steve's team will be: S. James (capt), A. Dale, M. Powell, M. Maynard, S. Watkin, K. Newell, O. Parkin, M. Wallace, I. Thomas, A. Bakhari, D. Cosker. Unfortunately for local fans spinner Robert Croft will be missing from the team having been called up to join the England squad for the Test against Australia.

The Lydney Select X1 will be captained by Adrian Knox – who was Steve's best man – and includes a number of players from other local clubs among them Nigel Cartwright of Cinderford St John's and Ian Dunn of Westbury. Also playing will be long-time Lydney favourite Bob "Basher' Brain who is coming out of retirement - just for the day!

Lydney Select Xl: A. Knox (capt), N. James, P. Morris, T. Stone, N. Cartwright, W. Whitson, John Kear, Andy Kear, N. Hutton, I. Dunn, R. Brain. Umpires: D. Symonds, A. Luke. Scorer: A. Ralph.

The game begins at 2pm and there is no charge for entry but brochures and other items will be on sale as well as refreshments.

After the match there will be a salmon supper at Lydney's nearby rugby headquarters – another favourite former haunt of Steve's as he made many appearances as full-back for club. The guest speaker will be David Yendoll, of Abergavenny.

In November Steve will be returning to Regentsholme again – this time bringing along his own Rugby Invitation XV for a floodlit game.

Local organiser 'Doc' Lewis says there has been considerable interest in Friday's game and he expects a good crowd. There will be plenty of seating available.

A couple of weeks ago Steve achieved his 43rd first class century when he scored a superb 156 against Essex.