England's deaf cricketers lose to India in series

England Men's Deaf team have not played a series since 2019

England Men's Deaf cricket team lost to India in Worcestershire on Tuesday in their first bilateral series.

The sides met at Astwood Bank Cricket Club, which hosted its first international in its 180-year history.

India clinched two decisive victories on the penultimate day of the seven-match IT20 event to seal a 4-2 win overall.

"To have the chance of a bilateral series with India in England in the sunshine is just brilliant," said Jane Powell, England disabilities performance manager.

India won the fifth match by eight wickets on Tuesday

The two sides played seven games across five venues in 10 days.

England won a rain-affected opener on 18 June at Derby by two runs, with India taking the second and third matches at Kidderminster two days later.

England triumphed by six wickets in the fourth event at Northampton on Sunday by 152-4 to equalise.

The two sides will meet for the final fixture in Leicester on Thursday.

"This is a big thing for the English guys," Ms Powell said.

"They play a really good standard of cricket and people have been shocked when they come along to watch and gone, 'wow they're good cricketers'.

There's no reason they shouldn't be it's just the communication we need to work on."

Martin Ward from Astwood Bank Cricket Club said the club was proud to host the international teams.

"The team here have put so much effort into making sure it's a special day," he said. "They're a great bunch of lads."

England Disabilities Performance Manager Jane Powell said standards were high