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Australia Men win rain-affected Visually Impaired Ashes

Australia Visually Impaired Men came out on top in the multi-format Visually Impaired Ashes, overcoming opponents England and the rain.

 

Australia Men's VI 145-3 beat England Men's VI 144-9 by 7 wickets. 

Australia Men's VI 198-6 beat England Men's VI 198-6 by 7 wickets.

Australia Men's Visually Impaired squad have won the 2024 Visually Impaired Ashes series with two games to go, leading 10-3 on points heading into the final two IT20s. 

Following poor weather in Queensland, three of the scheduled ODIs were abandoned due to rain taking the sides straight into the IT20 series.

The first two short format games took place at Neptune Homes Oval in which England lost out by seven wickets in each fixture. 

Batting first in the first IT20 of the day, England Men's VI opener Nathan Jameson (11) was run out in the in the third over, immediately putting the visitors on the back foot. Andy Powers (27) stood firm until Australia's Bradley Brider (1-14) caught him trapped in front of his stumps lbw. 

Matthew Page made an impressive 33 but became the first of three Englishmen to fall to Lincoln Muddle (3-29), and Ed Hossell's side ended up on 144 from their 20 overs. 

Australia's Steffan Nero (75) continued his excellent form taking his side to triple figures without losa but England's ever-reliable captain Hossell made the breakthrough to bring Nero's innings to a close. 

One brought two as Moshfique Ahmed removed fellow opener Brider (39) not two balls later. 

This boost of momentum added pressure and another wicket to Australia with Hossell executing a run out soon after but ultimately England did not have enough on the board and Australia knocked off the remaining runs with eight balls to spare. 

A similar story befell the second match of the day.

England were put into bat first but this time Matthew Page proved his skills reaching 70 from just 48 balls. Supported by captain Hossell (42) and David Howells (39*), the side put a bigger total on the board of 199. 

But even such an imposing total for England wasn't to be enough - Nero starred in the final innings of the day with an unbeaten 135 from 72 balls.

England's bowling attack made their first breakthrough in the eighth over before Brider could make more than 25 runs but with Nero still at the crease the runs kept flowing. 

The home side reached the target with six balls to spare and seven wickets in hand.

One Day Internationals

Sunday November 17: 1st ODI, Chris Willis Oval, Tamborine Mountain. Australia Men’s VI (337/5) beat England Men’s VI (292/7) by 45 runs. (3-0)
Tuesday November 19:
2nd ODI, Liberty Finance Oval, Burleigh. ABANDONDED (Rain) (4-1)
Thursday November 21: 3rd ODI, Neptune Homes Oval, Broadbeach. ABANDONDED (Rain) (5-2)
Friday November 22: 4th ODI, Chris Willis Oval, Tamborine Mountain. ABANDONDED (Rain) (6-3)

T20 Internationals

Saturday November 23: 1st IT20, Broadbeach Robina CC, Gold Coast. Australia Men's VI (145-3) beat England Men's VI (144-9) by 7 wickets. (8-3)
Sunday November 24: 2nd IT20, Broadbeach Robina CC, Gold Coast. Australia Men's VI (198-6) beat England Men's VI (198-6) by 7 wickets. (10-3)
Monday November 25: 3rd IT20, Broadbeach Robina CC, Gold Coast – 23:00 GMT
Tuesday November 26: 4th IT20, Broadbeach Robina CC, Gold Coast – 04:00 GMT