CRICKETING memories are being evoked with this timely photograph of classic match from 60 years ago.

Former Guardian sports editor Mike Talbot-Butler, who in 2013 was awarded the British Empire Medal for his role as an administrator in cricket since 1975, sent the picture to share with Remember When readers.

He said: "With the cricket season opening in mid Cheshire on Saturday, April 18, Guardian readers may be interested in a picture which will help those with long memories recall the Good Old Days of Northwich Cricket Club at their former Vicarage Road HQ.

"As a playing member from 1952-85 and former club captain, I helped to organise a series of celebrity matches against top-class opposition.

"Among the most successful was in June, 1955 – was it really 60 years ago? - when a Commonwealth XI including the great Garfield Sobers and Frank Worrall took on a Northwich 1st XI skippered by Geoff Culey.

"Those in the picture, kept lovingly over the years, include some of the top players in the international Test arena at the time.

"They are (left to right) back row: myself (Northwich CC), Ralph Legall, Sonny Ramadhin (both West Indies), Ray Hogan, Keith Slater, John McMahon, Peter Philpott, Jack Rutherford (all Australia).

"Centre row: Frank Pietsch (Northwich) Gary Sobers (West Indies), Geoff Culey (Northwich, captain), Ces Pepper (Australia, captain), Frank Worrall (West Indies), Lou Laza (Australian table-tennis international), Bob Gunn, John Gunn (father and son, both Northwich) "Front row: Colin Brown, Albert Hulme, Robin Done, Keith Moulton, Malcolm Lees, John Pickup (all Northwich).

"A crowd of almost 2,000 helped boost local charities and Northwich Cricket Club, not to mention the pockets of the stars.

"It was a really great day with 30 sixes scored and the Commonwealth team winning, ahem, comfortably.

"Sadly, most of my Northwich contemporaries, fine people with whom I shared some wonderful times, are now deceased.

"However, John Pickup still lives at Hartford, is currently chairman of the Minor Counties Cricket Association and was awarded the MBE for services to the sport only last summer."