England’s World Cup-winning women’s team may have rightly caught the headlines this summer but Wallasey-born Chris Edwards is equally keen to promote disability cricket in this country.

England Learning Disability captain Edwards led the side to a historic third consecutive title in the INAS Learning Disability Tri-Series which saw the team remain unbeaten against Australia and South Africa in 40-over and T20 matches.

And with the superb quality that the squad boasts, Caldy club cricketer Edwards has even called for current England internationals to be made ambassadors in the sport, in a bid to ensure that disability cricket can continue to be on an equal footing with mainstream national teams.

“Disability cricket has started to be recognised in the same light as the England men’s and women’s team, which is a really big positive for us as cricketers,” said the 24-year-old Wallasey-born cricketer. 

“With greater recognition, more participants are encouraged to take up the sport and that for me, is the main goal.

“As England players, in some respects we are now ambassadors to inspire others to not just take up the game, but to show that there is a pathway out there to eventually play for England.

“We’ve got so much depth in our squad now, I can’t see any reason why we can’t continue to win world championships and win trophies with the kind of team we are and continue to inspire the next generations coming through.”

The 2017 Tri-Series, supported by NatWest, took place at club grounds across Cheshire in July and England were champions in both formats, as well as winning the overall Tri-Series for a third time – they were also victorious in 2011.

“As a squad, we set a high expectation to try and win both tournaments and win the Tri-Nations outright which was one of our most important goals,” said Edwards, who was captaining England in his second Tri-Series tournament.

“My most memorable game was against South African at Bramhall Cricket Club, where I hit 90 before taking four wickets, with three of them coming in my first over.  It was one of the best England performances that I’ve ever had.

“It helped having quite a big crowd – the size of the crowd at Bramhall was probably one of the biggest I’ve ever seen for an international game.

“It certainly inspired most of the lads and it was our highest ever international score as a team – we posted 300 for the first time and then bowled the team out for under 100. It was a very convincing performance.”

And while the Wirral-based all-rounder might have led England for a second time on the international stage, the Cheshire cricketer insists he can carry on leading his country for years to come.  

“As long as I’m doing a good job and the coaching staff are happy for me to captain the side, then I’ll do it,” said Edwards.

“Being a captain for your country, you develop a lot of experience and life skills – especially in the leadership department.”

To find out more about disability cricket or to follow the England Learning Disability squad’s progress during the INAS Tri-Series please visit ecb.co.uk