Wales Disability

Wales Disability Cricket

Lead Contact: Les Randall - les.randall@cricketwales.org.uk

Disability Cricket continues to go from strength to strength in Wales. We are lucky enough to have a number of clubs that run disability programmes. They are: Clydach, Haverfordwest, Saundersfoot, Neyland, Whitchurch, Lisvane, Llangennech, Briton Ferry Steel, Port Talbot, Monmouth, Newport, Mumbles, Barry, Colwyn Bay, Dollgellau, Gwersyllt.

On a performance level the Disability Squad compete in the ECB D40 National League North Group - a first for 2020 and engage in a multitude of high quality cricketing experiences. Most notably the squad flew to Sri Lanka in 2019 for their first international tour and will host Sri Lanka in Wales during the 2020 season. 

We also compete in the Super 9s softball competition which involves a challenging fixture list against opposition counties. Feeding the Super 9s programme are three development hubs across Caerphilly, Swansea and Haverfordwest. 

D40 Fixtures 

Sunday 17th May: (A) v Lancashire

Sunday 31st May: (H) v Shropshire 

Sunday 14th June: (A) East Midlands 

Sunday 28th June: (H) v Lancashire 

Sunday 12th July: (A) v Shropshire 

Sunday 26th July: (H) v East Midlands 

Sunday 23rd August: D40 Semi Finals 

Sunday 6th September: D40 National Final

Super 9s South West Fixtures

Sunday 10th May: (H) v Dorset 

Sunday 24th May: (A) v Gloucestershire

Sunday 7th June: (H) v Somerset 

Sunday 21st June: (A) v Dorset

Sunday 5th July: (H) v Gloucestershire 

Sunday 19th July: (A) v Somerset 

Sunday 2nd August: Regional Finals Day

 

Table Top Cricket

We feel that everybody has the right to learn and play the game of Cricket in a safe and enjoyable environment.

Cricket Wales in partnership with Lords Taverners is in the middle of a three-year plan with Disability Table Top Cricket development programme with a focus on improving

• Schools and community’s groups the opportunity to access quality coaching and training sessions.
• A range of more local competitive opportunity’s which will feed into a more formal competitive structure.
• Access to affordable high-quality Table Cricket equipment.

 Cricket Wales will be organising and running the District Final, which the winner will advance to the National final in May at Lords.

If you would like you school to play Table Cricket please contact Les Randall on les.randall@cricketwales.org.uk

 

Sri Lanka Tour Report 

After 12 very long hours of flying an unbelievable reception by the Sri Lanka people with local dancers and drinks welcoming us to the amazing country. Truly raising our spirits as we embark on a groundbreaking tour for disability cricket wales.

A short turn around saw some early risers enjoy the vast breakfast before the first team meeting of the tour. Aims set... the hard work begins... stretching the muscles and a bit of team bonding before paying our respects at  St Anthonys Shrine the site of the atrocity that struck this beautiful country several months ago. Tomorrow sees our first full training session... bring it on!!!

 Our first real taste of Sri Lanka has seen us train at a test ground called Moratuwa sports club. We also had the of company hearing from one of the legends of Sri Lanka cricket Romesh Kaluwitharana. He gave a inspirational talk, imparting some of the knowledge he gained through his many years of test cricket. With the wet weather we were forced to train in doors however this was no escape from the searing heat and humidity!

 It did allow us to blow away the cobwebs and test some eager Sri Lankan net bowlers, the skills they have are amazing. After rehabbing in the steam / sauna rooms and rehydrating we are early to bed tonight in eager anticipation for our first true international test!

 A baptism of fire taking on a very strong Sri Lankan team. Losing the toss and bowling first on a damp wicket and outfield made worse by a typical Sri Lankan “shower”

Chasing leather for the 20 overs we  encountered so big hitting openers which carried on through their top order, helped unfortunately by some wayward bowling.

We have however been able to take a lot from the game, not only challenging ourselves against a very strong opposition but also starting to build a relationship across the cultural barriers. 

Hopefully the next day will bring a fresh chance for us to take on the might of Sri Lanka with us looking to produce a much-improved performance.

 It seems the weather has beaten us today after a monsoon hit yesterday.

With plans changing we spent the afternoon with the Sri Lankan team taking us around local markets, showing us the art of haggling whilst also making sure we weren’t killed by the odd kamikaze Tuk Tuk.

Back to the hotel for a bit of recovery ready (hopefully) for the game tomorrow.

Again we have been thwarted by the changeable weather. Even through the best efforts of the Sri Lankan grounds men bringing out the “super sopper” the game was cancelled.

Fear not, building on the great day had by both teams previously an indoor venue was found and cricket was played!

Much better performances ensued pushing close in both games but again coming out second best.

With hope that the next day will bring a 40 over match and a last chance to claim a victory in the beautiful country.

 Today has brought our final game at the magnificent Sri Lankan Army Ordnance Cricket Club. With the international standard facility both teams raised their games playing the first international match in the stadium. - Sri Lanka won the toss and batted first.

A much-improved Wales bowling performance saw early wickets fall with K Williams and C Davies making break throughs before the middle order rebuilt. However, the rain again which has plagued the tour lashed down postponing the match

Restarting Sri Lanka came out all guns firing before J King and C Margetts took 4 wickets in 2 overs. Some further tight bowling from A O’Neill (2 wickets), P Lane, H Malone, Z Tahir  restricted the home team to 210 for 8 off 30 overs.

All Welsh players bounced back from the earlier defeat giving a much better representation of how they have been playing cricket this year, even in the searing temperatures and humidity catches where held and bails broken.

Due to the rain interruption it was a very short turn around in an effort to beat the fading light. The Welsh top order found little joy from the Sri Lankan open bowlers backed up with some sensational fielding. J King the only batsman to prosper counter attacking scoring Wales’ first international 50 falling shortly before the end.

However the match ended in a draw as darkness fell. This match as with the whole tour was played in great spirits with both teams agreeing that cricket was the winner this week with many players forming cross team bonds.

Our last night in the hotel gave us another opportunity for a team photo this time with the finalist of Miss Intercontinental Sri Lanka contestants 

Sri Lanka plan to tour Wales next year (2020)