England stars outplayed at table cricket final
England stars Jack Leach and Anya Shrubsole praised the skill of the young players at the table cricket finals
England cricket players have been trying to keep up with children with disabilities from around the country at the national finals of table cricket at Lord's cricket ground.
The tournament, which took place in the Nursery Pavilion, was played on table tennis tables and designed to allow young people with a range of disabilities to be able to take part.
England star Jack Leach admitted the game was "tougher than I thought it might be".
He said: "It's obviously a lot more accessible to guys with disabilities and that's what we want, for the sport to be able to be played by everyone. It's really special to come and see it and have a go at it."
Young people from Chiltern Academy in Luton (wearing blue) took on a team from Suffolk One in Ipswich (wearing orange)
Chiltern Academy in Luton was one of the schools to reach the finals.
Special educational needs coordinator Yogesh Misteri, who introduced the sport to pupils after seeing it on the news, said: "What a day to come to the home of cricket and play table cricket.
"Hopefully these memories are going to live with them for the rest of their lives."
Claire Jones explained the sport required skill and concentration
In the game, which has been played for more than 25 years, a bowler puts a small ball down a ramp and a batter tries to hit it with a mini bat.
Hitting the short walls surrounding the table scores runs but fielders guard those spots with sliders to stop the ball or knock players out of the match.
Teacher Claire Jones, from Suffolk One in Ipswich, said: "It's a lot more complicated than it looks.
"The reactions for the fielders can be quite challenging for some of our young people with physical disabilities or slightly slower reactions; they have to really concentrate to stay on top of the game."
Former cricketer Anya Shrubsole said she was not much help to the teams competing in the final
Former England cricketer Anya Shrubsole also struggled to keep up with the skilled teams taking part.
She joked: "I'm not sure any of them would want me in their team, to be honest with you. I got out a number of times - I did all the things wrong in the field."
"It's pretty incredible to watch how good they were."
Mark Curtain said Lord's Taverners wanted to provide an opportunity for young people to take part in "high-quality competitive sport"
Mark Curtain, chief executive of charity Lord's Taverners, explained that table cricket could help children develop skills to use in their wider life.
"By taking part in high-quality competitive sport, in a way that suits them and their needs, they're able to develop resilence, determination and skills such as teamwork, communication and decision-making."
Lexi, 14, representing Chiltern Academy, said: "I didn't think we were actually going to get to this area and today it's like 'Oh my God, I can't believe we're here.'
"It's something new and I want to try new things out, and I actually enjoy it."
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