The last few weeks will forever remain in the memories of six Middlesex Disability players who have all played their part in England winning both the Deaf and Learning Disability Ashes series down under.
They landed in the UK yesterday after a successful three week's in Australia and returned home as jubilant Ashes winners!
Middlesex's Martin Henderson was the sole Middlesex representative in the Learning Disability side's successful Ashes winning campaign as England routed Australia by 7-1 in the Ashes series which featured five T20's and three ODI's.
England won the T20 series 4-1 and then secured their Ashes success with a 3-0 whitewash in the ODI series.
The England Deaf side boasted five Middlesex players, Captain George Greenway, Umesh Valjee, Moazzam Rashid, Farooq Mohammed and Jake Oakes, and all played their part in an equally emphatic England series win, as they ran out winners by a 6-2 margin across both white ball formats.
England took a 3-2 lead from the five T20's into the ODI series, which they went on to win 3-0 to secure their Ashes victory.
After lifting the Deaf Ashes, a triumphant England Captain, George Greenway, said:
“I’m so proud of all the players and so thankful to all the support staff who’ve really looked after us, especially through Covid.
"It’s a huge team effort and a massive achievement for us. A few of us are quite emotional.
Michael Wilson, Middlesex Disability Head Coach, commented:
"I am so proud of everything these brilliant young men have achieved. I was absolutely gripped to the series, watching every ball of the games like I was a fan. The standard of cricket played was worthy of any Ashes series and what makes it so special is that these players have worked so hard to get there. I couldn't be happier for them.
"For them to come home with both the Learning Disability Ashes and the Deaf Ashes is truly amazing and to to have one of our Disability squad players return home as an Ashes winning Captain is something really special.
"I know I speak on behalf of everyone at Middlesex Cricket in saying how proud we all are of everything these six men have achieved, and they should be equally as proud of themselves.
My own thanks goes to all at Middlesex Cricket, without whose support in all we're doing in Disability Cricket none of this would have been possible."
Also representing Middlesex down under was the Club's Physiotherapist, Vishal Kanji, who spent three weeks working with the England Deaf squad throughout the victorious Ashes series.
Speaking of his experience working with the Ashes winning squad and returning home to London with an Ashes medal himself, Kanji commented:
"The entire experience down under was incredible. To get to work with such a great bunch of players, who themselves have overcome so many challenges, was not only inspirational but it was a real honour and a privilege.
"What both squads achieved was simply amazing and for them to all return home as Ashes winners is so well deserved.
"I'd like to thank Middlesex for giving me the opportunity to join up with the Ashes squad and to the ECB for the experience."
Pictured, left to right, with their Ashes silverware, are the six Middlesex players who returned to the UK as Ashes winners yesterday: Umesh Valjee, George Greenway, Martin Henderson, Moazzam Rashid, Farooq Mohammed and Jake Oakes
