Lancashire cricket's disability team win national title

Lancashire Cricket's Disability team become the 2015 British Association for Cricketers with Disability & ECB D40 County Champions

Lancashire Cricket Board's (LCB) Physical Disability and Learning Disability county team defeated Shropshire to become the 2015 British Association for Cricketers with Disability & ECB D40 County Champions.

A strong Shropshire PD and LD hardball team, having overcome Hampshire in the semi final, arrived at Middleton Cricket Club on Sunday 20 September to face Lancashire in the final.

After losing the toss Lancashire were invited to bat on a gloomy day. They made slow work on a sticky wicket losing their first wicket on 17, opener Tom Wilson run out with Adam Finneran caught for 13 to go soon after.

Zak Green along with opener Stefan Holmes steadied the ship to put on a 70 run partnership and take Lancashire to 101 for 3. With the loss of Stefan for a determined 47, Lancashire lost 6 quick wickets for 26 to finish on 127 all out.

Shropshire bowled tightly and fielded well with Adam James taking 4-23.

With only 127 to defend Lancashire had to battle hard and a good start with early wickets was needed. Shropshire's openers made a steady start making 17 until Adam Finneran trapped Jess Ward for 10 with Eric Heath run out for 6 following shortly.

Wickets continued to fall with only Callum Rigby (14) and Shaun Rigby (27) making any inroads into Lancashire's target and when Nigel Robinson bowled Beech, last man to fall, Shropshire were all out 86, triggering scenes of celebration from the Lancashire players. Waqas Khan finished on figures of 3-21 and Nigel Robinson 2.5-1-1-3.

Alan Foster, LCB PD / LD County Coach & Manager, said: "This is a fantastic achievement from all the players and support staff who have worked very hard to earn the right to call themselves National County Champions in the BACD / ECB D40 County Championship.

"To win the Northern Championship and progress through the semis and then to defeat Shropshire in the final is an amazing feeling. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the players and support staff for all their efforts during the summer and of course their dedication during winter training prior to the season commencing.

"Thanks also must go to Middleton CC for hosting our team and for the support from BACD and the LCB in particular James Cutt (Disability Officer)."

Bobby Denning, LCB's Managing Director, added: "We have always been pro-active with regards to disability cricket at grass roots level, county level and with a constant stream of players picking up National honours. More recently we have seen this with Callum Flynn and Jordan Williams being part of the England Physical Disability Squad success on the World Stage.

"This recent achievement by our Lancashire PDLD squad is simply the icing on the cake and reinforces why we continue to develop the game for people with disabilities in Lancashire, underpinned by the appointment of a Disability Officer. On behalf of all at the LCB, including the Board and staff, well done on this great achievement. Enjoy the deserved celebrations."