Hicks takes charge as four Vics make Australian squad

Coinciding with the business end of the ICC Cricket World Cup, the series sees players with an intellectual disability compete against each other.

The tournament will form part of Cricket Australia’s first All Abilities Championships which also includes a Blind Cricket National Championships and a Deaf Cricket exhibition match.

Inas, the governing body who will oversee the International Cricket Series is the recognised International Federation (IOSD) for athletes with an intellectual disability.

The Inas International Cricket Series, which involves four 40-over games and two Twenty20 matches will provide the Australian team with the chance to win the division’s top prize against their traditional rivals.

Hicks, 29, is confident that his team can come out on top in the tournament.

The right-handed batsman is on his first official assignment as captain after being handed the leadership and will be joined by three fellow Victorians in Daynah Hopkins, Steven Teloniatis and Lachlan MacRae.

“Lachie is a young and up-and-coming left-arm bowler and a handy lower order batsman while, Stevie is an exciting leg-spinner and Daynah is a fine all-rounder,” Hicks said.

The Australian team enjoyed a three-day camp run by coach David Hemp at the Bupa National Cricket Centre in Queensland and Hicks said his team were thoroughly impressed with the facilities.

“The National Cricket Centre is an amazing place,” Hicks said.

Hicks welcomed the appointment of the former county cricket and Bermuda representative Hemp and also enjoyed the presence of former Australian Test bowler Andy Bichel, who was also on hand for the camp.

“David’s selection has been very good for the team and the camp was a good chance to get to know each other before the tournament,” Hicks said.

“Andy was absolutely amazing, he was originally booked for one day but stayed for the duration for the camp and I was able to sit down and pick his brains about cricket.”

Hicks, in 2009 was able to do what many have only dreamed of, when he scored a hundred at the MCG.

It was one of two hundreds he scored for Australia in the Lord’s Taverners Tri-Nations series, it’s a feat he’s obviously very proud of.

“It was absolutely amazing and to have family and friends there as well which made it even more special,” Hicks said.

Hicks would like to thank the Avoca Cricket Club, Matthew and Bill Drummond and his family for their support over the years.

The All Abilities Championships is proudly supported by Lord’s Taverners Australia, Victorian Government, AUSRAPID, Special Olympics Australia, Blind Cricket Australia and Deaf Sports Australia.

Inas International Cricket Series Fixture:

Date, Teams, Location, Format
Tuesday, March 17, Australia V England, Fitzroy Doncaster CC, T20
Wednesday March 18, Australia V England, Camberwell CC, T20
Thursday, March 19, Australia V England, Prahran CC*, 40 overs
Friday, March 20, Australia V England, Northcote CC*, 40 overs
Monday, March 23, Australia V England, Melbourne CC, 40 overs
Tuesday, March 24, Australia V England & Closing Ceremony, Carlton CC, 40 overs

*Grounds to be confirmed