Scorecard

The England Cricket Association for the Deaf (ECAD) South team travelled into the beautiful south Guildford countryside to play Blackheath on Sunday.

ECAD lost the toss and were put into bat for the first time this season.

Moazzam Rashid opened up with guest 'keeper Will O'Neill, and they put on a solid 38 before Moazzam chopped on. Paul Kenyon, elevated from his normal lower batting position, joined O'Neill and the two consolidated for a few overs before O'Neill was caught.

A heavy downpour took the players off for half an hour but the home team were keen to play and the players returned in light drizzle which continued for some time, the ECAD South team hugely grateful for the efforts to keep the game on especially with some players having made a 2 hour or more journey to the match.

Kenyon continued to play cautiously as wickets fell before he too was out at 74-4. Wickets continued to fall steadily but a rusty 12 not out from Omar Farooq playing his first game for 7 years and cameo of 13 from Hassan Ahmad, a personal best, dragged the team to a competitive 126 all out.

The Blackheath innings started well for ECAD with 3 wickets falling for just 15 runs with some tight bowling from Moazzam and Joe Fisher, who took 2-14 off 5 overs.

At 36-4, ECAD looked like they were in the game but 12 year old opener Rob Greenway held strong scoring 45 before holing out to a full toss with just 6 needed for victory. Greenway looks to be an exceptional talent and one to look out for in the future.

Blackheath won the game by 5 wickets with 10 overs to spare.

The ECAD South team spirit is a pleasure to see, particularly given they have played together so little. With 6 players under 17, there is a very bright future ahead for this group.