Ashes Series for Deaf Cricketers...
Third one-day international match report - Victory at last.
Thursday 24th July
Campbell Park Pavilion, 1300 Silbury Boulevard,
Milton Keynes, MK9 4AD.
For the first time on English soil and only the second time ever, ECAD defeated Australia by 7 wickets in a one sided match at Campbell Park, Milton Keynes. Australia won the toss and elected to bat but were in immediate trouble against Darrel Sykes who bowled a marvellous opening spell to leave the visitors reeling at 48-5 For the first time on tour both Watkins’ brothers failed and the ECAD side were not going to let their stranglehold on the game slacken. Nigel Davenport reinforced Sykes’ good work with a spell of 10-6-15-2 and all the bowlers played their part in dismissing Australia for 117 in 45 overs. Darrell Sykes took the last wicket to record 3-15 from 10 overs.
ECAD had to survive a stiff examination from Aussie skipper Kym Daley and lost Chris Hughes in the first over. However Umesh Valjee and Mike O’Mahony consolidated the position and took the score to 46 before O’Mahony was bowled for 18. Valjee’s long vigil ended at 75 for a captain’s 43 with still43 runs needed for victory. Cool heads were needed and Ben Young and Nigel Davenport used all their experience to take ECAD to victory with nearly 15 overs to spare. Young finished on 27 and davenport 19 as scenes of celebration spilled onto the Campbell Park field. ECAD won by 7 wickets.