21st March 2025
| Matt Thompson
Wales Disability starlet Michael Weathersby has been selected in the 2025 Disability Premier League draft ahead of the coming season.
The 32 year old, who currently turns out for Aberdare was selected by current holders ‘Pirates’ after an impressive 2024 campaign for Wales saw him top the batting charts with 254 runs at an average of 63.50 with two half centuries and an unbeaten 101 against Lancashire, and claim 6 wickets at an average just under 14. He was invited to train with the England Deaf team during the winter and has clearly impressed enough to force his way into the reckoning for the 2025 edition of the tournament.
The DPL is into its fourth year having been pioneered in 2022 and represents the pinnacle of disability cricket, bringing together players different disability groups – physical disability (PD), learning disability (LD) and hearing impairment/deaf. There are four teams with each team playing six T20 games across three weekends culminating in the top two sides competing in the final.
The previous two finals have been hosted at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff and have been televised on Sky Sports. With the Pirates looking to defend (or least make it to finals day again) their title it could be a first for Welsh Disability cricket to see one of our own representing Wales on live TV and – who knows with the venue yet to be confirmed – at the home of Welsh Cricket!
CAPTION: Michael Weathersby goes to three figures against Lancashire last season at Ynystawe CC. Credit: CIAC Images.
On training within the DPL setup and England Deaf programmes:
“After taking part in the trial year of the DPL, and now a few years on I’m looking forward to getting stuck in with the squad and show them what I can do. I’ve been training with the England Deaf team this winter and now the DPL so hopefully I’ve shown what they’ve been missing and how good I can be. Training has been good – very intense across batting, bowling and fielding and it’s been a case of stripping the techniques back to basics and then understanding more of my own game on what I need to work on. No session has been easy, and it’s been a challenge but learning all the time about my game is exciting. There are a lot of good cricketers in there and we’ve been lucky to have 4-5 coaches at every session so there’s been a lot of 1-1 time developing parts of my game so hopefully it will get me in a good position for the season ahead.”
On Wales’ upcoming season:
“I fancy our chances. It won’t be easy but I think we’ve got a chance of going well in the North group and who knows, maybe even winning it. If we can play to our strengths, we surprised a lot of teams last year finishing 6th but we were only one win away from finishing 2nd so it there’s a lot of hard work ahead and cricket to play, but if we play well we stand a chance.”
Wales Disability Captain Jack Page:
“Mikey’s numbers from last year speak for themselves and he deserves all the plaudits that come his way. To see him now start to be recognised, and to see him given the opportunity to showcase his skills on the big stage gives everyone in the squad a huge sense of pride.
Mikey’s influence in the dressing room last year and now more recently during our preparations for the new season have been vital. The Pirates are lucky to have someone like Mikey involved not only on the field, but also with his influence off it with such a wealth of experience behind him.”
To follow the progress of the Wales Disability team throughout the 2025 season follow their account on ‘X’ under @WalesDisability or on Instagram via @cricketwalesdisability.
To find out more about the performance arm of disability cricket in Wales watch our promo video here: https://youtu.be/nVEotH-FPqU