Comp players lead the way as Lancashire claim disabled cricket title glory

Lancashire’s Love Lane Liverpool Competition contingent
Back l-r: Liam Griffiths, Aaron O’Neill, Lewis Duncan-Brown, Tom Meskell, Rory McIntyre (all Firwood Bootle), Matty Tamburro (Hightown St Marys). Front: Jimmy Dixon (Sefton Park)

A core of Love Lane Liverpool Competition players helped Lancashire to their first National Disabled Cricket League D40 title since 2015.

Sefton Park’s England seamer Jimmy Dixon made an unbeaten 61 then claimed 4/16 in the final win over Hampshire in Kidderminster on Sunday.

He was joined in the side by Hightown St Marys’ Matty Tamburro and a group of Firwood Bootle men: Rory McIntyre, Aaron O’Neill, Lewis Duncan-Brown and Tom Meskell.

A fifth Bootle player, Liam Griffiths, was part of the squad but couldn’t play in the final.

It was Meskell who wrapped up the 137-run win with a spell of 4/17 – he said he was delighted with the side’s achievement, and for the chance to show what disabled cricketers can achieve.

“A lot of people don’t realise, there are some serious players in disability cricket right now,” he said. 

this weekend’s Results

latest tables

Batting & bowling stats

“Jimmy is a perfect example, and the likes of Chris Edwards playing for England – that’s my aim, ultimately.”

Meskell was the leading run-scorer as Lancashire topped the northern qualifying group, largely thanks to a spectacular unbeaten 221 at Shropshire in June.

It was his third century for the county, having made one on debut in 2021.

He said: “In the first eight overs I really struggled – the new ball was swinging and it was quite hard. But I dug in and caught up. 

“I’ve never hit a ball like it before, at the end – my last hundred came off something like 40 balls.”

D40 sides include players from three categories of disability. There are deaf cricketers like Dixon, those with physical disabilities like Tamburro, who is an amputee, and players with learning disabilities.

Meskell has autism, which means he falls into the third category. 

Understanding of neurodiversity – in sport and in society – has improved greatly in recent years.

Listen to the Last Hour cricket podcast

But there are still assumptions and gaps which Meskell is keen to help fill in for people.

“Autism affects my concentration levels and I have to really force myself to concentrate sometimes,” he said.

“But cricket is life for me – my autism helps in a way because it drives me through my love of the game to do what I want to do.

“In terms of day-to-day struggles, it’s not easy. 

“A lot of people see me playing cricket and think I don’t have struggles, but some days I just can’t get out of bed.

“Cricket motivates me though and when I’m playing cricket, nothing else matters.” 

from Merseyside Cricket Online https://ift.tt/eNJT7D6