And on Sunday he celebrated his 80^th birthday in the Southern Highlands with family and friends.

Medway resident Craig Hawkins, who hosted the party, first met Barry when he was 12-years-old.

Barry was his coach before he moved on to first class cricket and then the UK.

While they did not see each other for many years, they reconnected at a cricket function five years ago.

Since then the pair have kept in touch and Barry is a regular visitor to Craig’s home Arbroath Farm.

He once even brought Doug Walters down to stay.

When Craig saw his birthday was coming up, he got in touch with Barry’s family to ask what they had planned.

With nothing much on the agenda, he offered the use of his home for a party.

About 45 people attended the event on February 18.

Craig said he was pleased to have been able to do something for someone who had taught him so much about the game he loves.

His daughters organised a cricket bat for the event which all guests signed throughout the afternoon.

“He’s just a nice old English gentleman,” Craig said.

“He is one of the very very best and it was nice to be able to do something for him.”

Barry remains involved in cricket and coaching locally.

Barry played 29 tests for England before making a name for himself as a coach in Australia when he moved to the country in 1969.

He has mentored many Australian players who have gone on to play test cricket for their country including Allan Border.