West London crowned 2007 Indoor champions

2007 champions West London

West London were crowned champions in the first ever Indoor Cup Finals for deaf cricketers at the Warwickshire County Cricket Club's Edgbaston Cricket Centre recently.

The West London side was one of four teams taking part in the tournament which featured deaf cricketers from Croydon, the West and the East in a series of 10 overs a side matches.

Many were new to the game so Ron Young, the Head Coach for the National team of ECAD (England Cricket Association for the Deaf) explained the rules and gave an insight into playing indoor cricket, with the aid of Sula Gleeson, ECAD's official interpreter.

Six umpires were on duty, organized by and including Brian Goodall, the Secretary of BACD (British Association for Cricketers with Disabilities), as well as his daughter Sarah Norell who was official scorer while two completely new players, Simon Gray from Manchester and James Higgins, a 16 year old from Hampshire were given a warm welcome.

After a few hours of hard fought competitive cricket, the final took place between West London and Croydon, the teams who had shown they were the best over a long day. Croydon won the toss and invited West to bat first and thanks to some excellent bowling, especially from former international Ross MacCauliffe who at one time was the quickest deaf bowler in the world, West London were restricted to 103 following a few unfortunate run outs.

Stefan Pichowski made 31 before running himself out with an over to spare but Croydon's response was hampered by young James Dixon who struck early with the wicket of Mike O'Mahony. MacCauliffe batted superbly for 34, with good support from his team mates and just when it looked as if they might win, he stepped across his wicket to push it into the leg side and missed it.

He was given out LBW amd West London secured a famous victory by 17 runs.

The captain of the England Cricket Deaf team, Umesh Valjee, had been unable to play due to an injury but had travelled up from London to watch the games and to adjudicate on the batsman, bowler and fielder of the Tournament. He commented on how useful it had been for him to be able to stand back and watch proceedings and said he hoped the day would become an important one in the Cricket deaf calendar.

He presented England Cricket Deaf fleece tops to:

Batsman of the Tournament – James Dixon (West)

Bowler of the Tournament – Ross MacCauliffe (Croydon)

Fielder of the Tournament – Neil Magdani ( West London)

Important thanks were expressed by the Chairman to the Umpires, the Scorer, the officials of Edgbaston and in particular Lucy Riding the ECAD, Secretary for all their hard work in making the Tournament such a success. He suggested that everyone attend the coaching that was going to take place around the country in the winter and to let all their deaf friends know about it and to encourage them to attend as well.