Recently appointed England Visually Impaired coach Ross Hunter blogs about his squad's preparations for November's World Cup.
The England Visually Impaired squad are going to a World Cup in November and we are all excited to represent the country on the world stage.
We came together as a group in April last year and have come a long way since then.
Visually impaired cricket isn't quite cricket as you know it - check out Michael Lumb having a go.
Watch Twenty20 World Cup winner Michael Lumb giving Visually Impaired Cricket a go
Despite the differences and the fact our squad are not professional, the players are getting ready to perform in a World Cup in the same way as any other high performance team.
The squad have developed clear game-plans and understand their individual roles. They understand each other and the common goal of winning a World Cup has pulled everyone in the right direction. Who doesn't dream of winning a World Cup?!
It certainly helped push the players to another level in their recent fitness testing. Good work Emma Foden, our exercise scientist.
Our summer season involved valuable time in the middle against sighted cricket clubs.
A huge thank you goes to Hook & Newnham Basics, Leamington, Old Elizabethans, Middleton and Highgate School. It was a great opportunity to put plans into practice and many lessons were learnt.
The squad was announced at the end of August, which was incredibly exciting for debutants Ed Hossell and Jason Aughton from Somerset and Kelvin Duncan from Sussex.
It is sad news that fast bowler Rob Comber won't be with us but we wish him and his wife all the best for their upcoming arrival of a future England cricketer.
The players know that getting on the plane is one thing but representing England is what they really want.
We also welcome assistant coach John Cook and physio Gary Metcalf to the support team. It is great to have such high calibre support staff wanting to work with the group.
This is testament to Head of Disability Cricket Ian Martin’s constant strive for excellence.
What else is going on? One of our players, Mo Khatri, has just climbed Kilimanjaro and our next training weekend brings the first team bake-off. I wish the tasters all the best!
I will be in touch soon to give you another update as we continue our preparations for the World Cup.
If you can’t wait that long then follow me on twitter.
