THE mere mention of Australia pace bowler Jeff Thomson is enough to bring a tear to the eye of David Lloyd after being on the receiving end of a particularly brutal delivery in 1974.

England opener 'Bumble' was poleaxed in Perth when a rapid delivery jagged back into his nether regions, with a flimsy plastic box providing very little protection.

Wales lock Jake Ball is hoping to make a few Aussies wince when he takes to the Millennium Stadium turf on Saturday afternoon.

The Scarlets forward was clocked at 82mph after heading Down Under with the aim of becoming a professional cricketer and his slinging action meant Thomson was his idol.

But Ball, who was born in Berkshire and has a north Walian father, missed his rugby and decided to swap being a fast bowler for the grunt of the tight five.

He said: "I was probably a bit over the top when I played cricket. If I got nicked through slips and that, I would try to keep my cool. Not sledging, I was more of a quiet angry man, I think!"

Now, via Western Force and the Scarlets, he gets his chance to take on Australia for the first time.

Bearded Ball is an imposing figure – 6ft 7ins and 19 stone – and believes northern hemisphere rugby plays to his strengths.

He said: "There is a lot more close-quarter stuff over here. More picking and going. I love the breakdown side of the game, so the game suited ma massively over here."

Ball was given his first chance on the Test scene in the Six Nations following injuries to Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris and Ian Evans' suspension.

Now he has been picked in his own right on the back of some typically forthright displays for his region with Davies backing him up from the bench.

"It has been massive for me," said Ball, who has been on the bench in three of his five Test appearances. "During the Six Nations I got called up when Brad went down, so to gain selection in this squad without someone going down has been big for me.

"And now to get a starting spot as well, to get picked was a big goal of mine.

"It's great to have such strength in the second row and there is always competition in training. And I have had a lot of game-time this season and have been really pleased with how it has gone so far."

Ball will start next to Alun Wyn Jones for the second time and is relishing the chance to pack down next to one of the greatest locks on the globe.

"I think it is a good combination," he said. "I have a massive amount of respect for Alun Wyn, and I enjoy playing alongside him."