New coaching appointments confirmed for England Disability Teams

The England Disability Cricket Performance programme has made several new appointments ahead of the 2022 season.

Former Assistant Coach for the England Learning Disability Squad, Ben Silver, has been recruited as permanent Head Coach of the England Physical Disability Squad. The Leicester-born Silver has worked extensively with Leicestershire County Cricket Club's women's programme in the past and coached Loughborough University MCCU men's squad, will replace Chris Highton, who will take some time out from the disabled game after an eight year stint.

Jack Myers will work with Silver as an Assistant Coach. Myers has had experience coaching in the Academy set-up at Surrey County Cricket Club. He is currently Director of Cricket at Dunottar School in Reigate.

Former women's county cricketer Lauren Rowles has been appointed interim Head Coach of the England Learning Disability squad for the 2022 campaign. Rowles, who is on the coaching set-up of Central Sparks and is part of the Warwickshire County Cricket Club's girls' pathway programme, will lead the England LD team to Brisbane in June for the Learning Disability Ashes Series against Australia. She will be building on the outstanding work of long-standing head coach Derek Morgan who has taken a short sabbatical. James Wojda, who coaches at club level in the Birmingham Premier League, will work alongside Rowles as an Assistant Coach.

Head of Disability Cricket at the England & Wales Cricket Board, Ian Martin, said:

"I am delighted to welcome Ben, Jack, Lauren and James into their new roles within the England Disability Cricket Performance programme. We have an exciting time ahead with the upcoming Ashes series' for our Blind, Deaf and Learning Disability squads.

"We are also launching the Disability Premier League later this year, which will raise the standards of the game across the country and will give further opportunities for players striving to become England representatives.

"Whilst being enthused for the future of the disabled game, I would like to thank Chris Highton for his considerable contribution to England Disability Cricket over the past eight years and wish him well for the future. He leaves with the good wishes of all players and staff that he has worked with over that time."

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England Disability Cricket Performance Programme Confirmed Fixtures 2022

1 May – T20s, England Deaf XI v Cambridge University, Arundel CC, 11.00am start

22 May – 40-overs match, England Deaf XI v MCC, Wokingham CC, 1.00pm start

5 June – T20s, England Physical Disability XI v Army XI, Bromsgrove CCC, 10.30am start