Australia cricket legend Jeff Thomson coming to Cumbria

Australia legend Jeff Thomson will share stories from his career at an event in Wetheral later this month.

The iconic pace bowler was part of the feared partnership with Dennis Lillee that terrorised international batsmen in the 1970s.

At his height Thomson was regarded as the quickest bowler of his era and took 200 wickets in 51 Test matches.

Now 74, he will share memories from his time at the top of cricket in An Evening With Jeff Thomson, which will raise funds for Wetheral Cricket Club.

Tom Fuller, from the cricket club, said: “He’s a proper legend of the game.

“At a certain point in time he was the quickest bowler in the world and played proper Test match cricket.

Thomson, now 74, will share stories from his legendary career (Image: Steven Paston)

“Apparently he’s got some really good stories to tell and I don’t think he pulls any punches with what he says.”

The event in Wetheral is part of a series of night featuring Thomson across the UK.

It is hosted by Jonny Hayes from the Length Does Matter podcast.

“We saw that Jeff was going to be in the country and managed to book a date,” Tom added.

“He’s done it before but has said this could be his last time, so it was a case of now or never.”

Proceeds from the evening with the Aussie legend, which is held at Wetheral Village Hall on Friday, September 27, will go towards the development of Wetheral Cricket Club.

Tom said: “It’s for the continued growth of the club.

“We’ve recently invested in an enclosed net facility, which allows us to run junior cricket sessions and other senior sessions all at the same time.

“Our first team have just stepped up into the Cumbria Cricket League, which brings about a lot more requirements.

“We’re hoping to invest in sight screens and stuff like that. Our next step as a club is that we're hoping to develop junior cricket further.

“For the first time this year, we've had an under-10s side and we do really well in terms of All-stars and Dynamos. It's all going towards trying to build the club into a bigger club.”

The event gets under way at 6.30pm and will include two sessions, the first of which will see Thomson speak to the audience and the second a question-and-answer session.

Tickets are £49 and include a two-course meal and welcome drink. For more information contact Tom Fuller on 07588645691 or email thomasfuller95@gmail.com, or call Bryan Garnett on 07793047445 or email Garnettocornetto@hotmail.com.