SOME of the most important pieces of cricketing history went under the hammer last night as legendary fast bowler Fred Trueman put his collection of memorabilia up for auction.

The fearsome fast bowler, who became the first player to take 300 Test wickets, put an Aladdin's cave of cricketing treasures up for sale in an auction expected to raise £150,000 for his family.

Fiery Fred, who is also celebrating his 70th birthday, decided to sell the items after a burglary at his home near Skipton, North Yorkshire, 18 months ago, during which much of his collection was stolen.

He feared that the remainder might also become the target of thieves.

The memorabilia, being auctioned at London's Grosvenor House Hotel, includes the ball with which he claimed his 300th Test victim against Australia at the Oval in 1964. It was expected to raise £20,000.

Fiery Fred, who famously taunted batsmen as they walked down the pavilion steps to start their innings with the phrase "don't close t'gate, you won't be long out 'ere", also sold off his collection of blazers, ties, jumpers and boots.

With his classic bowling action, uncompromising late-order batting style and blunt Yorkshire sense of humour, Trueman became a hugely popular figure.

He played for Yorkshire for 19 years and in 67 Tests for England dismissed batsmen with an average of a wicket once every 49 balls. He is the third-highest-ever English Test wicket-taker, behind Ian Botham and Bob Willis. He received an OBE in 1989 for charity work.

Money raised from the auction will be split between his five children and six grandchildren.