Vic Marks on his old Taunton stomping ground, the venue for many of the anecdotes in his new book

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

CRICKET broadcaster and journalist Vic Marks has many tales to tell from his time as a player and writer on and off the pitch during a varied career spanning nearly 50 years.

And cricket lovers in Devon will get the chance to hear them first hand when the former Somerset and England all-rounder speaks at a charity dinner in Exeter next February.

The newly merged Alphington & Countess Wear Cricket Club have invited Marks to speak at the dinner on February 6 at the Devon Hotel.

Marks will be joined by other local sporting guests, and the evening will be compered by the former BBC radio and ITV presenter Mark Tyler.

This event is a fund-raiser for the Devon-based Chestnut Appeal for Men’s Health. 

The Chestnut Appeal is a cancer charity and one Tyler is keen to assist,

“It is a charity close to my heart having undergone my own cancer operation earlier this year,” said Tyler.

Proceeds will also help Tyler’s son James, who plays for Alphington & Countess Wear, go to South Africa with the Devon Development squad later that month.

Marks, now the Guardian’s cricket correspondent, is one of the best-known voices on BBC Radio’s Test Match Special programme. 

Marks joined Somerset around the same time as Ian Botham, Viv Richards and Peter Roebuck. He spins many hilarious stories about his life in cricket from that day on.

From the wicket to the commentary box - from Botham to Blowers - Marks is never short of an anecdote, a strong opinion about the current state of the game and plans for the new 100-ball competition next summer.

Many of Marks’ best stories are in his new book, Original Spin, Misadventures in Cricket, copies of which he will be signing at the dinner.

The book has earned positive reviews from the cricket world and further afield.

Matthew Engel, writing in the New Statesman, said: “A lovely read: self-written and thus well-written; authentic, genial and full of good anecdotes."

Tickets are £45 each or £400 for a table of 10. The meal is a three-course carvery supplemented either side by a pre-chosen starter and dessert. The dress code for the evening is smart casual.

Email mark@savmedia.co.ukto book tickets. Or call Tyler on 07831 591825.

Orignal Spin, Misadventures in Cricket, is published by Atlantic Books and available from bookstores or on-line from the publishers and other outlets.