Ashes Series for Deaf Cricketers...
First one-day international match report
Monday 21st July
Walmley CC, John Findlay Memorial Ground, Eldon Drive, Walmley
Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire, B76 1LT
Australia won the first ODI by 5 wickets but not before ECAD had thrown away a strong position by some suicidal running. ECAD won the toss and opted to bat first. Umesh Valjee and Chris Hughes compiled an opening stand of 75 to see of the new ball before Hughes went for 29. Mike O’Mahony continued his good form with another half century but a sharp single saw Valjee run out, the first of four Kym Daley victims, for a superb 64. O’Mahony was also run out for 50 as the innings went into freefall as a strong 135-1 became a desperate 170-6. Daley hit the stumps four times as the ECAD batsmen insisted on taking on his arm. Daley the bowler removed the tail as ECAD struggled to 215 in 47.3 overs.
Paul Welch went early but Grant Thomson and Nick Watkins moved the total to 83 when James Dixon bowled Thomson for 43. Andrew Watkins survived a routine boundary chance early in his innings and made the most of his good fortune to anchor the visitors to victory. Nick Watkins was trapped in front for 41 and Luke Trudgett caught for 15. Watkins found a reliable partner in Terry Hall as they moved towards a comfortable victory. Hall fell for 29 just before the winning run was hit to leave Watkins 55 not out. The Australians had nearly three overs to spare when victory was achieved.