Blind Sharks reach National Cup Final

The Sussex Sharks Visually Impaired cricket team claimed their place at the British Blind Sport Heindrich Swanapoel Memorial Cup Final after an impressive eight wicket win away to Lancashire on Saturday 30th June.

Having received a  bye in the first round, Sussex had to travel to Somerset for the quarter final in early June. After putting the home side into bat, it looked as if Sussex would be chasing a  massive total with Somerset 175 for 1  in the 20th over, but having dismissed Somerset Captain Ed Hossel for 110, the Sharks bowling attack took the game by the scruff of the neck.

A miserly last 10 overs saw Somerset limp to 201 -7  in their 30 overs, and what looked a tricky target was easily overhauled with openers Joe Harrison 70* and Skipper Dan Field 109*  seeing the Sharks home  with eight overs to spare.

The win over Somerset set up the long trip to Lancashire for the semi-final. Lancashire won the toss and after electing to bat, they got off to a flyer and were 67-0 after 10 overs.

Sussex's two totally blind bowlers were introduced to the attack and the wheels came off for Lancashire, with Ian Tiny Morris (3-38) and Dave Daniels (3-42) ripping through the top order in a blistering eight over spell that left Lancashire reeling on 104-6. Tight bowling from the rest of the Sussex attack saw the hosts all out for 112.

Sussex set about the chase cautiously and despite the loss of a couple of early wickets, Dan Field (37*) and a  belligerent 37* from Toby Collins saw Sussex home with eight  wickets, and half their overs, to spare.

They will face London Metro in the final on the 1st September at a venue yet to be arranged. The pair last met in the 2010 Cup final at The Ageas Bowl, where Sussex lifted the trophy.