Abbotsbury Cricket Club has been shortlisted for the national Loveliest Ground Competition 2004.

If the little village side with the picturesque home wins then it will pick up a specially-designed plaque and a cheque for £500.

The competition was inaugurated by Wisden Cricket Monthly in 2001 and the first winner was Keswick CC in Cumbria followed by Bridgetown in Somerset and Stoneleigh in Warwickshire.

Now Abbotsbury is hoping to bring the title home to Dorset having made it through to the final against five other clubs from as far afield as the Isle of Arran.

Abbotsbury has already gone a boundary further than fellow Dorset side Plush whose lovely ground was nominated for the 2002 award but didn't make it to the shortlist.

Club captain Ben Lucas said: "I am delighted for Abbotsbury, absolutely. All credit must go to our groundsman and secretary Mike Lydford because he is down there every day keeping the ground looking wonderful.

"If we did win then I think we would probably put the money towards equipment to help keep our ground looking lovely for years to come."

Keeping the ground in peak condition is one of the things that Mike particularly enjoys. He said: "We have been considered before for this loveliest ground competition but we have never made it to the shortlist.

"The views here of the sea and St Catherine's Chapel are stunning, definitely one of the nicest backdrops around against which to play a game of cricket.

"That is why we get so many touring teams down here because it is such a nice place to play.

"It is a real pleasure for me to get out there and do my bit helping to look after the ground."

That can pose a few problems at times as the wildlife can do more damage than the heftiest fast bowler's run-up marks.

Mike said: "Our main problem here is rabbits. They always seem to be trying to dig the pitch up. At least they can't touch the views here!"