AN ASHES winning captain will visit Hereford to give a talk about his career later this month.

Mike Brearley OBE will be giving a talk to Herefordshire Cricket Society members and non-members at Hereford Rowing Club on Thursday, September 26 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start.

Once described by Rodney Hogg as having "a degree in people" after retiring from the game Brearley has become a writer and psychoanalyst.

While at St. John's College, Cambridge, Brearley excelled at cricket.

After making 76 on his first-class debut as a wicketkeeper, he played for Cambridge University between 1961 and 1968.

He also played for Middlesex County Cricket Club and was captain between 1971 and 1982, leading them to County Championships in 1976, 1977 (jointly with Kent), 1980 and 1982.

Due partly to his academic career as a lecturer in philosophy at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, he was not selected to play for England until 1976.

His leadership skills made him an outstanding captain, although he was fortunate to be able to call on the services of Bob Willis, David Gower and Ian Botham at their peak.

Brearley captained England to the final of the 1979 Cricket World Cup, scoring 53 in the semi-final against New Zealand and 64 in the final against the West Indies, despite his side being beaten.

He passed the England captaincy to Ian Botham in 1980 and lost his place in the team.

However, Brearley returned as captain following Botham's resignation for the third Test against Australia in 1981, going on to win the match and eventually the Ashes series 3-1.

He captained the international side in 31 of his 39 Test matches, winning 17 and losing four.

For more details about the talk contact Ken Sharpe on 01432 359990