Team unite for charity

ENGLAND’S Physical Disability squad are attempting to strengthen team unity in spite of the barriers presented by coronavirus as they aim to complete a collective marathon per day to raise money for charity.

The 14-strong group are each trying to run or walk 2.6 miles every day for 10 successive days as part of a fundraising effort for the Lord’s Taverners – the UK’S leading youth cricket and disability sports charity.

Some of the team are finding quirky ways of holding up their end of the bargain, with James Nordin satisfying his quota on Wednesday in full England apparel and running in his back garden between two sets of stumps.

Matt Askin is taking up the challenge in his house because of an underlying health condition as everyone embraces the opportunity, which doubles up as a way for the team to keep in touch.

All-rounder Callum Flynn told the PA news agency: “On a good year we’ll only get 40 days maximum with each other and it’s hard to keep up the team bonding and team morale when you’re only with each other for 40 days.

“We’re all helping each other so much. During a time like this, it’s perfect for that sort of camaraderie to come through.

“As much as it’s a negative on the world and cricket, it’s a positive that you can take a step back and look at things and where you want to take some certain things. A time like this was perfect to do something. It just helps everyone, it helps us keep motivated and it helps the Lord’s Taverners in terms of money.

“As much help as we can give as possible, it goes a long way hopefully.”

The pandemic leaves the team’s summer schedule uncertain only a few months after the retirement of captain Iain Nairn and departure of head coach Ian Salisbury to Sussex. However, a virtual team meeting with Ian Martin, head of disability cricket at the ECB, has eased some concerns.

To support the team’s efforts go to this shortcut online tinyurl.com/ yd3w6waw