MEMORABILIA from the heyday of Worcestershire cricketing legend Jack Flavell will be going under the hammer next month.

The 72-year-old former bowler, who now lives in North Wales, is eager to pass on his treasured possessions for someone else to enjoy.

The mementoes of a bygone era include a cricket stump signed by the 1964 England and Australian Ashes teams, his England blazer and sweaters, plus a host of souvenirs from his illustrious career.

They will be auctioned at Sotheby's on Wednesday, July 18, and could fetch up to £2,500 if they each reach their target price.

Speaking from his new home in Gwynedd, the cricketer, who was the first Worcestershire player to head the English bowling averages - in 1961 - as well as taking the most wickets, said he decided to sell as he has no one to leave the memorabilia to.

"We moved house about 18 months ago and I found a bag in the attic with a lot of my cricketing stuff in," said Mr Flavell, who was voted Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1965.

"I've never been one to put it all on show and as my daughter died five years ago I don't have anyone to leave it to.

"I'd like it to go to someone who can enjoy it. I'm not that sentimental so I'm not upset about seeing it all go.

"However, I'm not parting with my man of the match gold medal I won for Worcestershire against Lancashire, or my Brylcream cup.

"I got the idea as Fred Truman and Tom Graveney have all done similar auctions and it's not down to needing the money, just a matter of finding a good home for all these items."

The shopping list of lots also includes a dark blue England cap and tie, two lots of three presentation hat-trick cricket balls mounted on an ebonised base, a framed black and white photograph signed by Sir Don Bradman, Geoffrey Evans and Bill Edrich, and copies of Wisden from 1965 to 1989.

During his career, the fast to medium-paced bowler played 392 matches for Worcestershire between 1949 and 1967, and four Tests for England between 1961-64.

As a player, he had the unusual distinction of taking a hat-trick by dismissing the batsman each time with an lbw decision during a match against Lancashire at Old Trafford in 1963.