ECB backing Deaf Ashes

28 November 2007

England deaf squad

The ECB will be supporting the Deaf Ashes series in England against Australia during 2008 - including financial support and assistance with the fixtures and venues.

The plans for the tour all started in a hotel room in Adelaide, Australia, on December 31 2006 when Deaf Cricket Australia had their domestic tournament in Adelaide and there were discussions between the delegates of ECAD and DCA.

The tour will take place between July 3 to July 25 2008 with warm up matches, one Twenty/20 match, three to five one-day internationals and two Test matches (three days).

All international limited overs will be played in coloured clothing, white balls, black screens and etc.

Fixtures to be finalised, with possible venues being: Southport & Birkdale CC, Colwyn Bay CC, Arundel Castle, Campbell Park in Milton Keynes.

The recent deaf cricket history reveals that Australia won the series in 2004 when they retained the Ashes 1-0 and they also took the one-day series 5-0.

England Cricket Association for the Deaf

Andrew Watkins, Phil Cox and Nick Watkins were easily the stars for Australia while Umesh Valjee, Chris Hughes and Mark Woodman performed in vain for England.

The 2nd World Cup deaf cricket took place in Lucknow, India in November 2005. Each country played each other in the group matches and Australia beat England in a thrilling one-wicket win in the last over chasing 214.

In the sem-final Australia were bowled out for 141, the wickets were shared around but Paul Allen put in a star performance of 4 for 17.

England knocked off the runs with four wickets to spare to make history by beating Australia for the first time in deaf cricket.

ECAD are seeking sponsorship to help raise the profile of deaf cricket in the UK, assist an England winning team and to develop deaf cricket in the UK.

Please contact Lucy Riding at secretaryecad@hotmail.co.uk