MCC, ECB and Lord’s Taverners will once again host a Festival of Disability Cricket at Lord’s on Wednesday 19 August.
England Men’s Mixed Disability team will play the last game of their seven-match Vitality IT20 series against India in the day’s centre-piece entertainment, while the day will also showcase the game’s range of accessible formats, and explore how cricket has the power to include, inspire and empower people living with a disability.
The day will start with MCC playing against Middlesex Disability on the famous main ground at 10am.
Lord’s Taverners Super 1s Competition in the Vitality Performance Centre begins at 11am, with the Final taking place on the outfield of the main ground from 1.15pm.
At 2.30pm, ahead of the England v India game, there will be a special performance by Electric Umbrella and throughout the day there will be a Community Cricket Activities Open Session, a Visually Impaired (VI) cricket demonstration on the Nursery Ground and Table Cricket open sessions in The Coronation Garden. Accessible Ground Tours will be on offer at 11am and 1pm.
Tickets are available to attend the Mixed Disability Vitality IT20 against India for £5 through the link here.
ECB Head of Disability Cricket Ian Martin said: “Disability cricket has come on a long way, but we want to share it with more people. We want more people to know it’s there for them, whether that’s to watch or play.
“MCC and Lord’s Taverners have been the most fantastic partners in driving disability cricket forward, and Lord’s is of course the most special venue. The last two years of this event have been really special. It showcases the elite level of the game with the England Men’s Mixed Disability team, but also what’s available for young people and in the pathways.”
Rob Lynch, Director of Cricket & Operations at MCC, said: "We are pleased to welcome back to Lord's England, India and Middlesex disability squads as well as Lord's Taverners and Electric Umbrella, as we celebrate disability cricket once again. In the MCC Cricket Strategy, released in February this year, we included an objective to introduce greater opportunities for disabled cricekters. I am heartened by the progress in the quality and profile of disability cricket that continues year on year, exemplified by the ongoing series between England and India.
Lord's is a place for all lovers of cricket to congregate, and to enjoy our game in all its forms. Good luck to all players and participants at the Festival of Disability Cricket at Lord's."
Mark Curtin, CEO of Lord’s Taverners added: “This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the impact, talent and ambition of disability cricket, from grassroots participation through to the international stage. It is particularly special to see young people competing in the Lord’s Taverners Super 1s Competition before England Men’s Mixed Disability take on India at the Home of Cricket.
“At Lord’s Taverners, we are incredibly proud of the impact our disability cricket programmes have on young people. Through Super 1s and our SEND Schools Programme, we create opportunities for young people to play, develop skills, build confidence and, importantly, feel that cricket is a sport where they belong. We are delighted to be part of such an important day for the game.”