Durham Cricket Foundation is proud to announce that two players from its Visually Impaired Cricket programme have been selected to trial for the Men’s England VI Cricket Team this winter.
Captain Dominic James and Raheel Khan, who’s also been awarded B1 Bowler of the Year in the Blind Cricket England and Wales (BCEW) Development League that the team plays in, have received invitations.
This recognition adds to Durham’s existing England VI representation through Nathan Jameson, who was selected for the multi-format Ashes series against Australia last November and took part in the squad for a UAE tour in 2019.
This selection recognises the talent and dedication within Durham’s only visually impaired cricket team, which has been competing in the Development League since its foundation in June 2007.
Daryl Smith, Disability Inclusion Officer at Durham Cricket Foundation said: “This is tremendous recognition for our players and testament to the quality of cricket being played within our VI programme. These trial invitations demonstrate that Durham are producing players capable of representing their country at the highest level of visually impaired cricket.”
Dominic James, selected VI player and Durham’s VI Team Captain said: “It’s a great honour to have been selected for the winter trials at Loughborough and Edgbaston for England’s Visually Impaired Men’s Team. We are very grateful to Durham Cricket Foundation for facilitating the space for the practice and all the support that will enable us to train for the trials. To even be considered to play for your country is an immense honour.”
Durham’s VI cricket team, which now boasts 25 players, plays an adapted version of the game, allowing players with visual impairments ranging from partially sighted to totally blind to participate fully in the sport.
The team is proudly sponsored by Go North East, whose support has been instrumental in the funding of transportation to away games across the country and complementary travel passes ensuring players can take part in competitive opportunities and develop their skills.
The team trains year-round at venues across County Durham and welcomes new players of any age, experience level and degree of sight loss.
For more information or to join Durham’s VI Cricket programme, contact: Daryl Smith, Disability Inclusion Officer at Durham Cricket Foundation, daryl.smith@durhamcricket.co.uk.