Sussex Visually Impaired Cricket Team

Four times Winners of the Kersey Trophy!

Senior Squad: Ali Issa, David Allen, Steve Andrews, Marcus Bellinger, Mark Burchell, Andy Dalby-Welsh, Dan Field, John Garbett, Joe Harrison, Simon Ledwith, Kevin Lyon, Ian Morris, Miles Northwood, Laura Perry, Geoff Smith, Steve Troy, Alan Whetherly

Played 9: Won 3, Drawn 4 Lost 2

Although the weather seriously disrupted the season more competitive matches were played than in previous years and a league position of third was the highest ever.

Captain Andy Dalby-Welsh had a wonderful season with bat and ball. Dan Field also produced some fine bowling performances and Joe Harrison had another dominant season holding on to an astonishing 10 catches.

Equally significant was the recruitment of two B1 (totally blind) players in John Garbett and Kevin Lyon. Sussex have always been short of players in this sight category and have relied heavily on England star Miles Northwood in the past. Lyon joined from Warwickshire and had an outstanding all-round season while Garbett stepped out of the crowd at our demo during the Lancashire game at Hove in 2006 and introduced himself.

The confidence running through the side was typified by Harrison and Dalby-Welsh narrowly failing to chase down a total of 205 in 17 overs in the last match of the season against London Sports.

A memorable season included a demo at Lords during the lunch interval at the final England v India ODI and a narrow defeat to a strong Sussex Womens’ side at Blackstone.

Teenagers Field and Harrison also assumed important roles in an inexperienced England side that lost a five-match series to India in August.

With some promising youngsters emerging from our successful junior side and the return of a fully fit Northwood, the squad is looking forward to 2008 and a Cup Final place at Lords in August.