England deaf face ODI challenge

16 July 2008

Captains Kim Daley and Umesh Valjee are set to clash again in the ODIs

Following on from an exciting two-match Ashes Series for Deaf cricketers, which saw Australia retain the Ashes in a tense final Test at Colwyn Bay CC yesterday, the teams remain in Wales for the first International Twenty20 match.

The summer of international disability cricket continues with four one-day international matches at Walmley CC, Warwickshire; New Road, Worcestershire and two matches at Campbell Park, Milton Keynes.

In the most recent ODI between the two teams, England inflicted a first defeat on Australia during the Deaf Cricket World Cup in India 2005.

The ECB, in partnership with the England Cricket Association for the Deaf and Deaf Cricket Australia, will host four ODIs and one International Twenty20 as well as the two Test matches.

ECB national disability cricket manager Ian Martin said: “This ODI series has been a long time in the planning and is keenly anticipated by both sides.

“Naturally I hope that England perform well and win the series, but what is more important is that both sides produce competitive cricket that is an advert and an inspiration for individuals with hearing impairments to come and get involved in the game.

“There are several key players to watch out for and if Umesh Valijee, a fine opening batsman, can produce anywhere near his top form then we can expect the Australian bowlers to be in for a real fight.

“Similarly, the Australian batsmen will need to combat the pace of Mohammed Farooq and James Dixon, who are both lively enough to cause even the best batsmen problems.”

The schedule is as follows:

Thursday 17th July: Twenty/20 international, Colwyn Bay CC

Monday 21st July: First one-day international, Walmley CC, Warwickshire.

Tuesday 22nd July: Second one-day international, New Road, Worcestershire CCC

Thursday 24th July: Third one-day international, Northants CCC, Campbell Park, Milton Keynes.

Friday 25th July: Fourth one-day international, Northants CCC, Campbell Park, Milton Keynes.