I went berserk and hit second 50 off 12 balls

Age: 29 Team: England Learning Disability and Devon England Learning Disability beat old rivals Australia by eight wickets to win the 40over INAS Tri-Series Final earlier this week and The Cricket Paper caught up with batsman Dan Bowser to chat about the success.

How does it feel to have won 40-over part of the triseries?

It’s pretty incredible how it has happened and it has been nice for me personally to have contributed in at least three of the games. It has been a great experience to have both Australia and South Africa over here. It has been good to play against the South Africans for a first time – and to beat them. It can only be good for cricket that there are more disability sides playing and getting more participation around the world. But we need more people with disabilities to come out and take up cricket.

How happy have you been with your own performances so far in the tri-series?

Very happy. The first game against South Africa, we didn’t know what they were going to bring, who they were and we were chasing a reasonable target of 173 and we lost a few early wickets. So, for me to come in and to hit 84 not out off 56 balls to help us win the match was very special. My second innings against South Africa was even more special. I scored my first 50 off 40 balls and then thought that we needed a few more runs so I went a bit berserk! My second 50 came off just 12 balls and I finished with 108 off 56 balls, so that was a special knock. I then followed that up with 93 not out in the final, which was awesome as well.

What has the spirit been like in the squad?

The atmosphere in camp has been excellent. Obviously winning helps, but we have all been getting on very well and we are all very good friends. I think there are only two new players in the squad since the last tour in 2015, so we are very tight. The coaches have been excellent, they are working us hard, but what they are getting us to do is paying off on the pitch.

What has it been like to play this series at home?

It has been fantastic. Unfortunately, my wife has not been well so she has not been able to come but my parents have been to quite a few of the matches and other members of the squad have had a good following from friends and family. We have also had schoolchildren down to the games, so that has boosted the attendance. They brought steel drums which was awesome and made for a great atmosphere.

What is the hope for the T20 series now?

If we carry on the way we are going then it should be a sure thing that we win the T20 as well. But cricket can be a funny game and can come back and bite you, so we have to be focused and be at our best to win.