Four of the England Learning Disability cricket team, who are currently in Melbourne for the bi-annual tri-series with Australia and South Africa, are Hampshire players.

The 15 man squad includes Gavin Randall (the England captain), Danny West, Lee Jay and James Higgins, all of whom play together at Portsmouth Community Cricket Club and have represented Hampshire’s AQS Homecare sponsored Disability Squad in the National Championships.

The England team have high hopes of reaching the final of the tournament for the first time since its inception in 2005. “We’ve been waiting a long time for this,” says Randall, who captains the side in a major tournament for the first time. “Ever since the last tour finished in 2007 we’ve been building up to it.”

The squad have had regular full day training sessions at two regional camps in preparation for the tournament. “It has been over two years in the planning,” explains National Disability Cricket manager, Ian Martin. “There is no bigger challenge for an English cricketer than going to Australia, and we are well up for the task ahead.”

The team’s first game will be played at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), home of Australian state side, Victoria. “To be able to walk out onto the MCG as captain is an honour and a privilege,” says Randall, “I’m really looking forward to it.”

It is also hoped that the tournament will stimulate interest and participation in disability cricket. Of his own involvement, Randall explains: “My Dad got me into cricket when I was very young, and ever since then it’s all I’ve done.”

The players and coaches are filled with confidence and determination. “We’re very confident going over there,” says Randall, “There’s only one prediction to have: that’s us coming back as winners.”
 
 

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