Blind cricketers cap best finish

18 December 2006

England capped their best ever finish in a blind cricket World Cup when three of the team received individual awards at the closing ceremony.

England lost to India by five wickets at the semi-final stage but finished third because they had beaten the other losing semi-finalists, Australia, in the group stage.

18-year-old wicket-keeper Dan Field, who had won just four caps before the World Cup, won the award for best wicket-keeper at the tournament and received $2000 for his achievements.

Totally blind player Nathan Foy won best fielder at the competition while England captain and most capped player in international blind cricket history, Heindrich Swanepoel, claimed best runner between the wickets. Both received a prize of $200.

Rory Field (72) and Andy Powers (50) were the semi-final stars as England batted first against India and made 209 for five in their forty overs.

In reply India suffered an early wobble, slumping to 30 for two after five overs, but recovered to reach their target with 10 overs to spare. Powers, Tim Guttridge and David Townley each took a wicket with run outs accounting for the other two dismissals.

England star Foy said: "England’s world cup dream is over, well for at least four years anyway. We have a centre of young players, so hopefully in four years time the trophy will be ours."

Pakistan were crowned world champions after they overhauled India’s total of 225 for seven with six wickets and ten overs to spare.

England Team: Rory Field, Tim Guttridge, Andy Powers, Nathan Foy, Heindrich Swanepoel, Luke Sugg, Mark Pickup, David Townley, Dan Field, Sam Murray, Hassan Khan.