Courtney Walsh, the most devastating bowler in cricket history, is all set to make a comeback at Hadleigh's John Burrows Ground.

The retired West Indies pace ace has been pencilled in to play in the annual charity cricket match hosted by Hadleigh and Thundersley tomorrow (Tuesday).

Walsh took 519 wickets in a glittering Test career and tops a bill of participants that also includes Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram, England star Phil Tufnell and Essex skipper Ronnie Irani.

The Essex League club host the international match every year and more than 1,000 spectators are once again expected to take advantage of the free admission to attend.

The star names will mix with other invited guests and club players to form two teams for a 40-over match.

Hadleigh spokesman Jon Wagstaff is delighted the club has attracted further top names to the list of star names who have played in the match over the years.

He said: "Outside of the county game, I don't think there is a bigger cricket event in the county during the year.

"We're expecting a large crowd who will have the chance to see Courtney Walsh, one of the world's greatest bowlers, for free."

The match has been organised through the Hadleigh and Thundersley club's connections with the Leigh-based Centurion cricket company, run by Neil and Danny Patel.

The event is now in its 11th season and will this year benefit the Thundersley-based charity Little Havens Hospice.

Other recognisable names hoping to take part are West Indies legends Collis King, Alvin Kallicharan and Phil Simmons, and Pakistan player Moin Khan.

The match is due to start at 2pm and refreshments will be available.

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