South Africa trip for Devon duo
DEVON duo Stephen George and George Greenway link-up with the England Deaf squad today ahead of the looming tour to South Africa

George, who is 28 and plays for Paignton, is an opening or first-change bowler for his club side but will be keeping wicket in some of the games in South Africa.

'The regular wicketkeeper is injured and as Stephen has stood in for him before the team management are quite happy for him to keep part time,' said dad Nigel, who is part of the party.

'He won't keep all the way through every game as I expect he will be asked to whip off his pads and bowl as well.'

Greenway, who plays for Exmouth, is one of the all-rounders in the 14-man playing party.

The tour leaves on August 22 and returns from South Africa on September 9, meaning both will miss the final two rounds of league games for their clubs.

George is one of the more experienced players in the touring party having represented England in two series against Australia as well as touring India. He has also played against Pakistan and Australia.

The tour countdown starts today with a 50-over game against Derbyshire Academy at Derby CC.

Tomorrow sees the Deaf Squad in action against MCC at Chesterfield CC.

The tour action starts a week on Wednesday with a 50-over game against South Africa at Sinovich Park in Pretoria, home to the National Cricket Centre.

There are four one-day internationals and two twenty20 games against the same opposition at the same venue. The last match is on September 7.

Players must have a hearing loss of 55 decibels or more in their better ear to be eligible to play international deaf cricket.

England have every reason to be confident against South Africa as their recent record against them is good.

'This is the first international series our deaf cricketers have played since their successful tour to Australia in January 2011,' said Ian Martin, head of disability cricket for ECB

'During that tour we defeated South Africa in both short formats of the game in a Tri-Series and that is something that we aim to repeat.'


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