Devon Cricket Board - Devon sending team to National Table Cricket finals

Devon sending team to National Table Cricket finals

DEVON are sending a team of table cricketers to Nottingham this weekend for the first national finals of a disability competition.

Table cricket – played on a table-tennis table with a mini bat and ball – has been around for about 20 years.

It originated at Trent University in Nottingham and is played by the able-bodied as well. Cerebral Palsy Sport have put funding in place this year for a county tournament and the finals take place at the Trent Bridge Test match ground in Nottingham on Sunday.

Seven other counties will be lying in wait for Devon at the national finals.

Devon’s team was selected following a county qualifier in Exeter, involving teams from Oakwood Court College in Dawlish and Exeter-based disability organisations Roc, CEDA and Special Olympics.

Active Devon organised the competition and picked a team from the talent on display at the qualifier.

The bulk of the six-strong team come from Oakwood Court College with the rest drawn from the Special Olympics club.

Jason Wood of Active Devon, who is one of the coaches running the team, said table cricket offers those with physical or learning disabilities the chance to enjoy the thrills and spills of real cricket.

“The tournaments are taken very seriously with umpires in white coats officiating,” said Wood.

“It is a bit like Kwik Cricket for youngsters as teams start with 200 on the board and gain runs or lose them, depending in what wickets they lose.

“You score runs as in normal cricket – sixes, fours, twos – and have to avoid hitting the fielders, otherwise you are out.”

“The competition is intended be inclusive, so people with physical or learning disabilities can take part.”

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