England Deaf progress to final

England are through to the Deaf ICC Championship final at the Sharjah International Cricket Ground on Monday after recording a second win in three group matches.

Stephen George took 4-27 as India Deaf were bowled out for 240 in Dubai

An unchanged England side lost the toss, but did a good job of keeping their opponents’ score in check.

George took two early wickets and Jimmy Dixon also struck with the new ball as India were reduced to 23 for three.

Skipper Paul Allen maintained the pressure with 2-24, and George returned to help clean up the tail as India were dismissed with three balls of their innings unused.

England Deaf are through to the Deaf ICC Championship final in Dubai

England Deaf openers Umesh Valjee and Alun Evans then took the score on to 14 without loss before England were awarded the win.

Under International Deaf Cricket regulations, if a player is found to be wearing a hearing aid the team forfeits that match. With an on-field umpire finding a transgression, England secured two points to reach the final.

England will play Pakistan in the final after they beat South Africa to pip India with a better net run-rate.

England captain Allen said: “The team and I are really excited to have qualified for the Deaf ICC final and are even more excited to be playing this final at such an iconic venue, the Sharjah International Cricket Ground.

“We have all worked extremely hard to get to this stage and are looking forward to the challenge that Monday will bring.”

England Deaf team v India
Paul Allen – captain
Umesh Valjee
Alun Evans
Dean Bedford
Matt Clinton
Michael Wethersby
Jimmy Dixon
James Schofield
Luke Hughes
Sam Critchard
Stephen George

England 2016 Deaf ICC Championship fixtures
9 March: England Deaf v South Africa, ICC Academy Oval 1, Dubai (abandoned due to bad weather)
10 March: England Deaf v Pakistan, ICC Academy Oval 2, Dubai (England win by 16 runs)
12 March: England Deaf v India, ICC Academy Oval 1, Dubai
14 March: Third v fourth play-off, ICC Academy Oval 1, Dubai
14 March: Final, ICC Academy Oval 2, ICC Academy Oval 2, Dubai


Source: ECB

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