Despite the season finishing more than a month ago the curtain will close when the best and fairest players across the Whitney, Pinnington and Kelly Cups are rewarded on Saturday night.

There will also be a special presentation made to Rugby cricketer and long-time administrator Glenn Shepherd, who will go onto the DDCA honour roll.

Highlighting the night though will be an appearance by guest speaker and former Australian fast bowler Max Walker.

“Max is going to be in town for an event on Sunday but the only flight in he could get was on Saturday so he became available,” Dubbo District Cricket Association president Mick Davis said.

“We didn’t want to pass up the chance to have someone like Max be involved so Jon Fuller had the idea to put the presentation night back and have Max as our guest speaker.

“He’s a bloke that has played cricket at the highest level and he has also become a quality public speaker and been involved in the media as well.”

Now 66 years of age, Walker grew up in Victoria and spent his summers playing cricket before turning his attention to AFL in the winter months.

He was listed by the Melbourne Demons at one stage but once the time came to make a choice he stuck with cricket, where he forged a very successful career.

He made his test debut in 1972 and went on to play 34 times for Australia, taking 138 wickets at an average of 27.47.

With his unique bowling action he earned the nickname ‘Tangles’ and was a key player in the Australian one-day side for a period between 1974 and 1981, including during the infamous World Series days.

While football season may now be in full swing, Saturday night’s dinner is an opportunity for cricket lovers and sports nuts in general to listen to some of Walker’s tales from over the years.

“Primarily Saturday night is our presentation dinner but we want to give anyone who is keen the option to come and listen to Max speak,” Davis said.

“Opportunities like this don’t come along very often so anybody who is interested in coming along is asked to give Wendy Herd a call on 0431 959 071 before midday Thursday.”