WYTHALL’s Sam Wyles described England’s victory in physical disability cricket’s first multi-team international tournament as his easily his greatest achievement in the sport.

Only England and Pakistan had competed in the sport internationally before this month’s competition, so the Red Cross International T20 Tournament for people with physical disabilities was a truly ground-breaking event as they were joined by India, Afghanistan, India and hosts Bangladesh.

Wyles, who is a development coach for Worcester CC, only faced four balls across two innings, scoring two runs, due to top-order performances of the top order.

But he featured in every game, including the 19-run victory over Pakistan in the final on September 10.

The 25-year-old said: “It was really special. To go out to to Bangladesh and win the whole thing after losing the first game was brilliant.

“It was a really proud moment. Working in cricket, I know how hard it can be for people with physical disabilities to get involved with the sport at that level, so playing in such a great tournament on the international stage was the proudest moment of my cricketing life.

“It was easily my best experience in cricket. It is not every day that you play in what is effectively a World Cup.”

England lost their opening game against Bangladesh but went on to beat India, Pakistan and Afghanistan in the group stages before beating Pakistan once more in the final.

The overall goal of the England and Wales Cricket Board and a number of the other governing bodies is to eventually introduce a World Cup and Wyles, who is a former pupil at Woodrush High School, believes the tournament in Bangladesh is a major step towards that.

“Fingers crossed a World Cup is close,” added Wyles, who plays for Wythall CC.

“The amount of coverage of the event and the messages we had from over here showed the support there is for the sport in this country and now it is about getting other nations involved and hopefully it will then lead to a World Cup.

“I am also hoping there will be a few more games with different sides over here. You never know what could happen in the coming years but ultimately it is about working towards a World Cup.”

To find out more about any of ECB’s four disability programmes (Physical Disability, Learning Disability, Deaf or Visually Impaired) please visit www.ecb.co.uk and search disability or email disabilitycricket@ecb.co.uk