Evans on song as England progress to the final

14 Mar 2016 | Cricket
England are through to the Deaf ICC Championship Final today after recording victories against Pakistan by 16 runs and then India at the ICC Academy Oval in Dubai.
After the first game was abandoned due to weather, debutant and former Glamorgan player Alun Evans starred with the bat in the second 50-over fixture against Pakistan.

Evans, who played alongside Hugh Morris and co in the Glamorgan 1997 Championship winning team was one of three players to make their England Deaf debut in the game, with Lancashire's Luke Hughes and Essex player Dean Bedford also featuring for the first time.

Pakistan opted to field first having won the toss and England found themselves under pressure early on when opener Umesh Valjee was dismissed by Adnan Ghani in the first over. James Schofield then joined Evans at the crease and the pair proceeded to post a second-wicket stand of 61.

Evans, the Ammanford captain, was eventually dismissed for 76 to end a memorable first innings for his country. Captain Paul Allen added 26 off 40 deliveries and England finished up 191 all out.

Pakistan showed intent from the start in their innings with Mudasser Nazir scoring 55 and Qammer Naveed notching up 45 but Jimmy Dixon was destructive with the ball for England, taking four for 22.

Dixon's man-of-the-match display and a brace from both Allen and Matt Clinton, along with a wicket each for Stephen George and Bedford, secured the win as Pakistan were bowled out for 175.

England captain Allen was impressed by his team's performance: I'm delighted with the win and I think the boys showed great character in defending 191.

Alun Evans played exceptionally well to get 76 and Jimmy Dixon bowled superbly to get four wickets for 22 to ensure the victory.

England recorded a second win in three group matches, after losing the toss, but did a good job of keeping their opponents' score in check with Stephen George taking 4-27 and Alun Evans a splendid catch as India Deaf were bowled out for 240 in Dubai.

England Deaf openers Umesh Valjee and Alun Evans then took the score on to 14 without loss before England were awarded the win.

Under International Deaf Cricket regulations, if a player is found to be wearing a hearing aid the team forfeits that match. With an on-field umpire finding a transgression, England secured two points to reach the final.

England will play Pakistan in the final after they beat South Africa to pip India with a better net run-rate.

England captain Allen said: The team and I are really excited to have qualified for the Deaf ICC final and are even more excited to be playing this final at such an iconic venue, the Sharjah International Cricket Ground.

We have all worked extremely hard to get to this stage and are looking forward to the challenge that Monday will bring.

England 2016 Deaf ICC Championship fixtures

9 March: England Deaf v South Africa, ICC Academy Oval 1, Dubai (abandoned due to bad weather)
10 March: England Deaf v Pakistan, ICC Academy Oval 2, Dubai (England win by 16 runs)
12 March: England Deaf v India, ICC Academy Oval 1, Dubai
14 March: South Africa v India - 3rd/4th play-off, ICC Academy Oval 1, Dubai
14 March: Final - England v Pakistan, ICC Academy Oval 2, ICC Academy Oval 2, Dubai

Highlights England v Pakistan


Highlights - England v India