Incredible to play alongside my brother
Age: 20 Teams: England Physical Disability, Alton CC How did you get into cricket originally?
My Dad is a cricket coach and I went as a young boy on a Saturday and Sunday to watch him play and have a hit with my brother, Alex. I started with my village club before moving to a bigger junior section and that’s when I got involved with non-disability district and county cricket. I started the disability stuff when I was 11, as well as my standard cricket, and I have been involved with the game since it started really.
How does your disability affect your game?
I was born with bilateral talipes. My mum had it and passed it down to me and my brother. It basically involved my foot being round to the side almost facing backwards. I had 21 operations, the last of which was in Year 3 or Year 4 at primary school, as I had them put it round the right way. I still walk on my tiptoes and I can’t get my heel on the floor, which affects my balance and speed.
What was it like playing international cricket with your brother Alex?
It was amazing when we took the field in Bangladesh in the ICRC International T20 tournament together. I have always played with him and to do it on the international stage was incredible. I know his game inside out and he knows mine so it was nice to have someone to support me.
What do you hope to achieve in the sport?
I’m currently in my first year of studying Sports Coaching and Business Management at Oxford Brookes University because I want to do something in cricket after university. I am hoping that the degree will open doors for me. I hope there will be lots of roles in the playing and coaching side within disability cricket in the future so I can inspire future generations.
Does that mean your playing days are nearly over?
No, I am still only 20 years old, so I should have 15 years of playing left in me and hopefully more if I keep myself fit. Hopefully I can make a difference and develop the game to the level it deserves to be at.You have 22 cricketers on the pitch and there’s complete respect amongst them all for what we do. We simply dismiss the disability side of things, it’s never used as an excuse, we always find a way to do it.
What coaching do you do at the moment?
I’m getting fully involved in the new All Stars cricket scheme from the ECB and have done Chance 2 Shine coaching in schools and been involved in holiday camps. A lot of the time the kids say, ‘you look normal’ when I explain who I play for but they just love cricket. They always ask questions but the disability doesn’t really matter – they are just happy there’s a guy in England kit showing them some skills.