Ronnie Jackson hit a 64-ball century as England’s Learning Disability team defeated Australia by 178 runs in the first One Day International in Brisbane.
England got off to a good start with Dan Bowser and Jonathan Gale reaching 44 for the first wicket before Gale fell for 25. Captain Chris Edwards was out for a duck three balls later, but Bowser and Dan Levey stabilised things with a partnership of 47.
Once Levey fell, Bowser and Jackson went about taking the Australian attack apart, with a speedy partnership of 129. Bowser was out for 91 from 77 balls, while Jackson passed three figures for the first time in ODI cricket and was eventually out for 116 from 74 balls, including 11 fours and four sixes.
Dan Bowser takes aim in Brisbane
England’s total of 312/5 from 40 overs proved too much for Australia, who were 134 all out from 35 overs. Wicketkeeper Gavin Hicks top scored with 60 as Alex Jervis, Rob Hewitt and Kieran McKinney all took two wickets.
After the match, Jackson said: “Coming in with three wickets down after about 12 overs, it was a difficult stage of the game because if I got out it would have been a bad situation for us. I just made sure, at the beginning of my innings, that I nicked the odd single and punished the bad balls.
“As the innings went on I got more confident and started playing more shots. I hit a lot of boundaries but also kept looking for the singles, which helped us build a big total.
“It was my first ODI hundred for England, so it was a very proud moment for me and quite emotional to be honest.”
England and Australia play their second of three ODI on Thursday, with the INAS Global Games IT20 series between the two sides starting on Sunday, 13 October.
Got my first england odi 100 today. 116 of 74 balls. Very emotional for me but a pround momemt. Great win as well today too pic.twitter.com/5gr7WMTOA7
— Ronnie Jackson (@JackRon29) October 8, 2019
Remaining fixtures
Thu 10 Oct: 2nd ODI v Australia – Dauth Park, Beenleigh
Fri 11 Oct: 3rd ODI v Australia – Dauth Park, Beenleigh
Saturday 12 Oct: INAS GLOBAL GAMES OPENING CEREMONY
Sunday 13 Oct: 1st IT20 v Australia – South Brisbane DCC, Fairfield
Monday 14 Oct: 2nd IT20 v Australia – South Brisbane DCC, Fairfield
Wednesday 16 October: 3rd IT20 v Australia – Allan Border Field, Albion
Thursday 17 October: 4th IT20 v Australia – Allan Border Field, Albion
Friday 18 October: 5th IT20 v Australia – Allan Border Field, Albion
Saturday 19 October: INAS GLOBAL GAMES CLOSING CEREMONY
