England’s deaf cricketers take on India in series

England Men’s Deaf cricket team took on India in Worcestershire on Tuesday as part of their first bilateral series.

The sides met at Astwood Bank Cricket Club, hosting its first international in its 180-year history.

India edged ahead 3-2 after the first of two fixtures on the penultimate day of the seven-match IT20 event.

“To have the chance of a bilateral series with India in England in the sunshine is just brilliant,” said Jane Powell, England disabilities performance manager.

The two sides are playing seven games across five venues in 10 days.

England won a rain-affected opener on 18 June at Derby by two runs, with India taking the second and third matches at Kidderminster two days later.

England triumphed by six wickets in the fourth event at Northampton on Sunday by 152-4 to equalise.

The two sides will meet for the final fixture in Leicester on Thursday.

“This is a big thing for the English guys,” Ms Powell said.

“They play a really good standard of cricket and people have been shocked when they come along to watch and gone, ‘wow they’re good cricketers’.

There’s no reason they shouldn’t be it’s just the communication we need to work on.”

Martin Ward from Astwood Bank Cricket Club said the club was proud to host the international teams.

“The team here have put so much effort into making sure it’s a special day,” he said. “They’re a great bunch of lads.”

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