READING Cricket Club (RCC) is set to host a powerful performance about rise and fall of England international Chris Lewis.

Regarded as a fine all-rounder in his prime, the aggressive lower-order batsman made 85 appearances for his country and – in 1994 – he was named England's International Cricketer of the Year.

Within months of his career coming to an end, his life was in ruins. He went on to serve six-and-a-half years in prison after attempting to smuggle cocaine worth £140,000 from St Lucia into the UK in 2008.

'The Long Walk Back' looks at his deeply-moving and extraordinary journey; from a sporting star to the brink of taking his own life on his first night in custody.

Since his release in 2015, Lewis has been working with the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) to ensure current cricketers learn from his experiences.

Written by Dougie Blaxland, The Long Walk Back is coming to RCC on April 11 at 7.30pm, with Chris Lewis making an appearance to answer audience questions.

Playing the lead role of will be Martin Edwards, who has worked extensively in theatre and film.

The production has been made possible thanks to funding from The Arts Council, The Big Lottery and PCA.

It is set to play across the country at a range of venues, including Bristol, Birmingham and London.

Hailed as 'the next Ian Botham' when he was steaming in to the crease for Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, Lewis also achieved a Test century against India 1993.

Visit: readingcricketclub.com or call: 07769 707242 for ticket information.