Weston cricketer Matt Blamire played his part in England’s victory in the first international tournament in physical disability.

WESTON’S Matt Blamire insists he is still struggling to come to terms with England winning the first international tournament in physical disability cricket’s history when he returned to work.

Blamire was part of the 15-man squad which won the inaugural Red Cross International T20 Tournament for people with physical disabilities in Bangladesh.

The 29-year-old returned to his job as a mobile plant instructor and said: “It still hasn’t sunk in yet, it is such a surreal feeling.”

England lost their opening game against Bangladesh, but went on to beat India, Pakistan and Afghanistan in the group stages, before defeating Pakistan in the final by 19 runs.

Former Weston College pupil Blamire, who had his left leg amputated after an industrial accident, added: “We broke so many records out there. We were the first team to be involved in a multi-team tournament, the first team to win it and we broke records like our highest T20 score.

“I didn’t play a huge part in the first XI, but I did come on for the final seven overs in the final and was the 12th man.”

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