All set for first Blind Ashes

9 August 2004

The England Blind Cricket squad have completed final preparations for their encounter with Australia in the inaugural Ashes Series.

England play host to the ECB/Sport England Ashes Series this month, featuring five one-day internationals, with 40 overs a side. International Blind Cricket is usually played using the limited-overs format.

Both squads will be based at Bradfield College in Berkshire and will meet up on Thursday August 19. The Australians’ visit to England kicks off with the Berkshire Trophy Centre 7-a-side indoor tournament on Friday August 20 at Bradfield College.

On Saturday August 21 both squads will attend the British Blind Sport and Primary Club knockout cup final at Lord’s.

The Ashes Series starts with the first game at Bradfield College at 10:30am on Sunday August 22. Following the first game there will be a small ceremony, where a stump from this first game will be burned. A stump will be burned as bails are not used in Blind Cricket.

The ashes will then be placed in the Ashes Trophy and sealed. The ceremony will be performed by Peter Donavan, chairman of The World Blind Cricket Council.

The other games will be played at the following venues:

Monday August 23 – Lord’s Cricket Ground
Wednesday August 25 - The Rose Bowl
Thursday August 26 - Horsham Cricket Club
Saturday August 28 – Bradfield College

Following the final game there will be a presentation evening where the Ashes Trophy, medals and other awards will be presented by Michael L'Estrange, Australian High Commissioner and representatives of the major sponsors.

All games start at 10:30am and admission to all games is free.

The Series is sponsored by ECB/Sport England, and the trophies by The Brian Johnston Memorial Trust.

Other Series Sponsors:
The Carphone Warehouse
MCC
Computer Room Services
Cricket World.Com
The Reading Chronicle
Lloyds TSB
Cookerburra Oven Cleaning Services UK Ltd
The Berkshire Trophy Centre Reading
Impress Print and Design Reading
Barracuda Pubs and Bars Ltd
The Calcot Hotel Reading
Hampshire CCC
Horsham CC