Leigh’s Callum Flynn insists there is plenty more than just results to play for in next month’s first international physical disability cricket tournament with the England star hoping it will lead to the introduction of a World Cup.
Physical disability cricket is still in its infancy, with an England national team being launched in 2009 and until this year the Three Lions and Pakistan were the only countries to have sides.
But next month Swinton Moorside CC’s Flynn will be part of the England team that competes in the sport’s first multi-nation competition, with India, Afghanistan and hosts Bangladesh joining the Three Lions and Pakistan at the Red Cross International T20 Tournament for people with Physical Disabilities.
And the 20-year-old is hopeful the game can continue its rapid growth and that one day he will be able to play in a World Cup, with England facing off against Bangladesh on September 2.
“If we can get around six to eight teams it will be great to have a World Cup,” said Flynn, one of 15 England players chosen for the tournament.
“It’s really starting to take off in the last year or two because we are getting more media coverage and support which is great.
“We are looking forward to it but we are going into it blind as we don’t know what Bangladesh, Afghanistan or India are like. We have only played Pakistan so we will know what their weaknesses are.
“It will be a good opportunity to get out and see what playing conditions in another country are like.”
England will play all four teams between September 2 and 8 as part of a league table, with the top two taking part in the final on September 10.
Flynn played in the Three Lions’ previous two series against Pakistan which they lost, and the all-rounder said: “I have been on all the tours. I was 16 when I went on the first tour and 18 on the last one, so I was very young but it was a great experience.
“It’s amazing. We have a coach, assistant coach, physiotherapist, psychologist, nutritionist, sport analyst. For a disability team it is pretty amazing and shows how good the standard is.”
Keep up to date with the England PD team in Bangladesh, at www.ecb.co.uk or follow @ECB_Cricket. All County Cricket Boards are running disability cricket programmes, email [email protected] to get involved.
