Geoff Miller OBE will help Carlisle Cricket Club kick-off a big year on Saturday.

The club, which will be celebrating their 125th anniversary at their Edenside ground this season, will start the celebrations this year by welcoming the former England cricket selector to the Shepherds Inn for a dinner.

Miller, who played for Essex and Derbyshire, where he was club president from 2014-2016, will be joined by Everton Football Club MC comedian Jamie Sutherland for the night.

Among those attending the event will be Carlisle secretary Mark Davidson, and he is looking forward to hearing the tales from Miller’s cricketing career.

“I have heard he is really good,” Davidson said. “I haven’t listened to him before but one or two people have said to me ‘brilliant. You will have a really good night’ and I think Jamie Sutherland is good, as well. It should be a cracking night.”

And Carlisle, back in the Premier Division of the North Lancs & Cumbria League after their title-winning campaign last year, are hoping for a successful season.

Davidson added: “It is a good way to start a very big season with it being our 125th on the ground. Players are coming. Players from the past are tagging along to the night and it builds into the season.

“Things are starting to get busy as we move in towards April. Things are looking positive and we are looking forward to a big year on and off the field.”

Carlisle are planning for the arrival of this season’s overseas player Justin Greaves next month, ahead of the start of their competitive campaign.

The club will also be holding a Natwest Cricket Force weekend on April 8 and 9 to help get the ground ready for the start of the season.

Contact Andy Trickett on 07876 162887 or Davidson on 07830 070610 for details.