England Learning Disability Coach Derek Morgan believes the upcoming tour of Australia will prove to be a valuable experience for a “really motivated” squad.
A 15-strong party, captained by Cheshire’s Chris Edwards (pictured, left) and led by Morgan and his assistants Andy Hill and Les Randall, will travel to Australia on Sunday morning to play two Twenty20 matches and four 40-over one-day games in the International Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disability series against Australia.
England are the title-holders, having won the tournament the last time it was contested in 2011.
Morgan said: “We’ve managed to pull together a group of players who are really keen and enthusiastic, playing the game outside of this squad on a regular basis.
“A big part of the expectations on the players is that they are playing mainstream cricket as well, broadening their experience and opportunities to develop their skills. There’s guys who are really motivated to work hard and achieve their potential.
“We want to make this experience as valuable as it can be to the players, we want to make every opportunity they have with this group as special as it can be and bring things into line as closely as we can with what they would experience in a professional environment.
“We’re fortunate that we’re really well supported by the ECB with the funding and access and support that we have, which enables us to provide players with hopefully high-quality coaching support but also high-quality medical support, nutritional guidance, lifestyle support and an all-round environment which will enhance the players’ experience.”
