O'Brien leads England to another victory

Liam O'Brien Stars as England Defeat India Again in Mixed Disability T20 Series

Sussex-born Liam O'Brien delivered a standout all-round performance to lead England Mixed Disability to a commanding 60-run victory over India, putting the hosts 2-0 up in the seven-match T20 series.

O'Brien was named Player of the Match after smashing a quickfire 55 and claiming 4-30 with the ball in a dominant display at Wormsley, Oxfordshire.

Fellow Sussex player Alfie Pyle also made his mark, taking 1-30 following his own Player of the Match performance in the series opener.

Match Report

Dan Bowser and Liam O'Brien powered England Men's Mixed Disability to their second win from two games in their ground-breaking series against India.

O'Brien in particular enjoyed a day to remember, with an unbeaten 55 and figures of 4-27 earning him the Player of the Match award at picturesque Wormsley.

Devonian left-handed opener Dan Bowser had initially been the stand-out star of England's batting effort, making 83 from just 61 balls in a partnership 102 with O'Brien, but O'Brien's all-round heroics ultimately defined the day and the victory for Callum Flynn's team.

England's margin of victory was in the end very similar to that in their series opener at Taunton, and they'll be looking for more of the same in the third Vitality Mixed Disability IT20 at Lord's on Wednesday.

Bowser and Price put on 77 for the first wicket before Price and then Flynn fell in quick succession to bring around England's match-winning partnership.

It felt like a steep total for India to chase, and it proved to be the case. Five wickets down after 10 overs was never likely to be the foundation from which to tie the series at one apiece, and in truth there were few positives for the tourists, save some fighting resistance from Narenda Mangore.

England captain Callum Flynn said: "I am absolutely delighted for Liam. I've played with him for a long time and I know what a fantastic cricketer he is, but to see him do it on this stage with both bat and ball is a joy.

"Very few players deserve it more than him, he gives everything for the team and he's absolutely delighted. We're 2-0 up and it's a good start but it is only that, a start. We've got to build on this now at Lord's and stay totally focused on getting over the line to ultimately win the series."

The next fixture between the two sides - on Wednesday at Lord's - forms part of Cricket Disability Day, set to be the biggest ever one-off showcase of disability cricket. Hosted by the MCC, ECB and Lord's Taverners, the England game is the showpiece event amongst a host of other activities and sessions to showcase the progress disability cricket is making and the opportunities open to people living with a disability.