Sussex D40 batter Alfie Pyle has won the 2023 Variety Disability Sports Awards Rising Star award, capping off a remarkable breakthrough season in disability cricket.

 Crawley-born Alfie, 20, who was called up to the England Men’s LD side this April, got his first taste of cricket as one of the very early participants in the Lord’s Taverners Super 1s programme, which offers cricket coaching to young children with disabilities across the country. He has since risen through the ranks to represent Sussex in D40 cricket and featured for Disability Premier League champions Hawks in this summer’s tournament.

 Alfie – who was presented with the award at star-studded event hosted by the Variety Club children’s charity – has continued his association with the Lord’s Taverners as a Super 1s coach, and was over-the-moon to be recognised for his achievements:

 “I’m really happy to have won this award; I didn’t think I was going to win so when they said my name and everyone clapped, it was a great feeling.

 “I’ve had a great first year in the England squad and am really enjoying my cricket at the moment. There were times in my life growing up when the bullying I experienced made things difficult – but now, to be playing with my friends, representing my country – I’m loving every minute.

 “The role that Variety plays supporting young disabled athletes is vital. Whether you end up loving sport or not, it’s great to give children the opportunity to give it a go and see where it might lead.”

 Alfie travels to South Africa this weekend with the England Men’s LD side, who will face-off against the Proteas and Australia in a tri-series in Pretoria. You can keep up to date with the series across the ECB’s channels throughout November.

 Interested in playing disability cricket? Find out about the playing opportunities in your area for both adults and children on the Sussex Cricket Foundation's website.

On Friday 20th October, a squad of 8 players from the Sussex Cricket Foundation Walking Cricket Hubs from across the county participated in a newly formed Walking Cricket tournament held at Lord's.

Taking place in the Indoor Cricket Centre, Sussex played 5 matches during the day against teams from the MCC, Epsom, Old Woking CC & Pirbright CC and Notts CCC.

Walking Cricket is a very sociable format of the game and although it was first time that the players had played together as a squad it didn’t take them long to form a great team spirit ready to take on the challenge ahead.

The newly appointed Sussex Cricket Walking Captain Baz Weston lead his team out onto the hallowed astroturf of the Indoor Cricket Centre for the first time against an experienced Epsom side and Sussex narrowly lost by 11 runs.  

Across the first round of matches it was opportunity for all participants to get any nerves and excitement out the way playing at such an historic and iconic venue.

After a quick post-game debrief with his players, Baz and the team agreed specific tactics for the remaining games and the plan to keep the batting order the same so players felt familiar in their roles definitely paid off.

During the course of the next match against an MCC side the batting was very consistent with the approach remaining the same which was to build partnerships with each pair, hit the bat into gaps along the floor and to loose as few wickets as possible.

Victory was followed by a famous Lords buffet lunch which was very kindly provided for players and umpires by the hosts the MCC. With an extra spring in their step Sussex put in strong performances and had wins against OWCC/PCC and another MCC team meant a final round match against unbeaten tournament leaders Notts CCC would determine the overall winners.

In the last game Notts CCC batted first and put on a commanding score due to some smart and powerful batting. In the field Sussex gave a good account of themselves with some tidy ground fielding.

Mick Millyard’s spectacular catch in the deep was one of the many highlights from the day and it was appreciated by all the spectators on the viewing balcony above!

Thanks to their efforts in the field, Sussex managed to stay within chasing distance of Notts CCC at the half way stage of the game, however a strong first over from the Notts CCC opening bowler taking the wicket of Clive Hayton put Sussex on the back foot.

Having travelled down 4 hours by Minibus on the morning of the tournament demonstrated Notts CCC enthusiasm for their Walking Cricket and they bowled and fielded with plenty of energy which include 3 direct hit run outs by the same fielder.

Although Sussex showed glimpses of the form that proved successful in earlier matches, Notts CCC managed to restrict Sussex to win the game and remain unbeaten throughout the day.

After a short presentation during which Notts CCC were crowned champions, Harry Thompson (MCC Community Coach and tournament organiser) took all the players on a guided Stadium Tour of Lords which included many of the famous locations including home and away changing rooms, the Long Room and the Media Centre.

Overall Sussex won 3 out of 5 games during the day scoring a total of 431 runs but more importantly a great day was had by all the players and  with plenty of memories and friends made along the way!

Many thanks to Harry Thompson and the MCC for hosting the tournament.

More information on how to join our Walking Cricket Hubs across Sussex can be found on our website.