Denton’s Jordon Williams is proud to have played his part in helping to progress the game of physical disability cricket after scoring crucial runs as England triumphed in the final of the sport’s first multi-nation competition.
Only England and Pakistan had competed in the sport internationally before this month’s competition so the Red Cross International T20 Tournament for people with Physical Disabilities was a truly ground-breaking event as they were joined by Afghanistan, India and hosts Bangladesh.
Williams struck 15 runs in the final as part of a crucial partnership which made 32 in the last two overs of England’s innings to help provide the platform for their side’s 19-run victory over Pakistan in the final on September 10.
And Denton West’s Williams admitted he had to pinch himself in amazement after writing his name in the record books.
“It has been a special few weeks,” he said. “It was the first international competition in physical disability cricket history so it was really special to be involved in it.
“I think this competition will help move the sport on massively. There has been talk of Afghanistan coming over here next year and there might be a World Cup in 2019, so it is an exciting time to be involved in the sport.
“We’ll be telling stories of becoming world champions for years to come.
“Seeing the guys developing from a group of young men who’ve dealt with some big challenges in their lives to seeing them interacting with thousands of fans in the stands was just fantastic.”
England lost their opening game against Bangladesh but went on to beat India, Pakistan and Afghanistan in the group stages before beating Pakistan once more in the final.
Williams had been selected due to his talent with the ball in hand but the subcontinent conditions meant he only bowled three overs during the competition.
But the 23-year-old made his mark with the bat as he managed 30 runs during his three innings batting at six, which included ten in the game which secured their place in the final.
The former Egerton Park Arts College pupil, who was born without a fibula in his left leg, added: “I went out there as a bowler but the conditions were not really conducive to seam bowling and we ended up using four spinners, who all bowled well.
“But I was able to bat well, with ten in the final group game and 15 in the final, which saw me involved with a great finish to our innings.
“It was great to score a few runs in the final, especially as it was the biggest game I had ever played in.
“Pakistan had beaten us in the previous two series so we felt we owed them one.”
To find out more about any of ECB’s four disability programmes (Physical Disability, Learning Disability, Deaf or Visually Impaired) please visit www.ecb.co.uk and search disability or email [email protected]
