International call for Colwall all-rounder Sam Crichard (From Hereford Times)

International call for Colwall all-rounder Sam Crichard

8:30am Thursday 7th July 2011 in Cricket

COLWALL all-rounder Sam Crichard has made his debut for the England Deaf Cricket team.

The 19-year-old from Aylton faced a South African paceman who bowled at around 90mph in the match against the MCC at Milton Keynes.

Sam, who was born with a hearing impairment, is now planning to buy a new thigh pad owing to the high velocity of the attacks.

Sam was called up to the England team after another player was injured. He was unlucky to have a couple of catches dropped off his bowling in England’s defeat.

The sports coaching student from the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff has played for Herefordshire Youth sides since he was under-11.

Sam is a good lip reader and has played in mainstream sport since he was young.

Sam, who studied at St Mary’s School and Hereford Sixth Form College, is also a qualified level 2 cricket coach and has represented the county in football.

Sam’s 16-year-old brother, Joe, is also a talented sportsman and was selected for the Midlands last year to play at the prestigious Bunbury festival.

Joe is a pupil at St Mary’s School and plays for Brockhampton.

Joe is training with the Worcestershire satellite academy and has just landed a cricket scholarship at Bromsgrove School.