top notch international cricket will be coming to worcestershire during the next few days via the staging of the vitality it20 physical disability tri-series.
england, pakistan and bangladesh will be competing in the tri-series which is being hosted by worcestershire in conjunction with the university of worcester.
it is a ground-breaking event in being the first international physical disability tournament to be held in this country.
all of the teams are viewing the tournament as an important staging point ahead of the physical disability world championships being held in england next year.
the teams will do battle in double header t20s at barnards green cc, kidderminster cc and old elizabethans from sunday to tuesday.
then the final will be staged at kidderminster’s chester road ground on wednesday (july 11) with an 11.30pm start.
but that is not the end of the entertainment because on friday (july 13) england will take on the rest of the world at New Road in the university of worcester challenge match (12.30pm start).
that match is being staged ahead of the worcestershire rapids-northamptonshire steelbacks vitality blast game (5.30pm start).
worcestershire cricket board cricket development director, tom hill, said: “we are delighted to be hosting the international t20 physical disability tri-series in conjunction with the university of worcester.
“it is a great opportunity to showcase the very best talent of physical disability cricket and brilliant to have it in our county.
“the sport seems to be getting more popular. locally we had our special schools day last week which went very well.
“it seems to be growing, getting a bit more coverage and it is really humbling when you watch these games, watching the ability of the players. the standard will be really good.
“there are seven games in the tournament with three days of double headers starting this sunday culminating in the final on wednesday.
“then we will have the university of worcestershire challenge match at New Road next friday between england and the rest of the world team.”
the england team watched the birmingham bears vitality blast game on friday after earlier in the the afternoon having a special presentation of their caps at the guildhall from the mayor of worcester.
england will be skippered by iain nairn and they will be looking to win back the trophy after losing the 2016 final by three wickets to pakistan in dubai.
their head coach is the former surrey and sussex spinner ian salisbury and he said: “this is the first ever home series for the squad and for pd cricket in this country which is something to celebrate first and foremost.
“we want everyone who sees us this summer to be inspired. that’s how we will raise awareness of disability cricket in this country.”
the schedule for the vitality it20 physical disability tri-series is:
today sunday july 8
barnards green – england v pakistan (11.30am) and bangladesh v england (3.30pm)
monday july 9
kidderminster – bangladesh v pakistan (11.00am) and england v bangladesh (3.00pm)
tuesday july 10
old elizabethans – england v pakistan (11.00am) and pakistan v bangladesh (15.00o)
wednesday july 11
final
kidderminster – 11.30am
friday july 13
university of worcester challenge match
New Road – england v rest of the world (12.00pm)
