What is the Disability Premier League? How does it work? Which players should you watch? Everything you need to know ahead of the final and the big battles at stake. Watch live on Wednesday from 12.25pm on Sky Sports Cricket.
Evie Ashton
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 14:53 UK
Last year’s Disability Premier League runners-up, Pirates will be looking to go one step further this year against the Hawks, but the final is about much more than cricket.
The Hawks and Pirates aren’t just fighting each other, they’re fighting for recognition in a world where people with disabilities often feel ignored.
This T20 tournament is a symbol of equality, providing a platform for cricketers with disabilities to showcase enjoyable and elite cricket whilst offering a clear pathway to progression.
Live Disability Premier League Final 06.09
The DPL has had a direct impact on national and elite level player recruitment: in 2022, eight players have been discovered and selected to serve on disability-specific national teams.
It is important to combat ableist stereotypes and assumptions that reinforce negative perceptions of disability and create inspiring role models for the many cricket lovers who grew up without a disability.
Four teams – the Black Cats, Pirates, Tridents and Hawks – have proven that cricket is a sport for everyone.
Three thrilling weekends of cricket culminate in an unmissable final at Incora County Ground, Derby on Wednesday (kick-off 1pm), which will be shown live on Sky Sports.
Image: The ECB wants to expand the existing DPL and create a Disabled Premier League for women and the visually impaired
How does it work?
The tournament is the first of its kind in the world to see 16 players competing on the pitch, around six from each of three disability groups – Physical Disability (PD), Learning Disability (LD) and Deaf or Hard of Hearing – with player depth splits to ensure as equal a mix of teams as possible.
The format, now in its second year, sees each team play two matches over the weekend with one PD, LD and Deaf player bowling a minimum of four overs.
Note the addition of the “explosion over” this year, which allows the batting side to invoke the powerplay rule any time between the sixth and twentieth innings.
Players to watch in the finals
The Pirates are in the finals for the second time after losing to the defending champions Tridents last year, but this time they will face a new opponent in the Hawks, who have won five of their six games in the competition.
Here are the players who could help bring home the DPL trophy…
Callum Flynn, Hawks: Having opened for the England Disabled team at the age of 16, led them to their first World Cup win in 2015 and now captains the England Disabled team, Flynn is a true footballing legend.
The Hawks all-rounder, a survivor of osteosarcoma who also works as a fundraiser alongside his cricket, is second on the list of runs scored out of the final two teams with a total of 162 and a best innings figure of 62 not out off 36 balls. He is also a very capable right-arm seamer with best figures of 3-14.
Owen Morris, Hawks: A promising all-rounder, Morris made an impressive debut as captain of the Yorkshire D40 development squad earlier this year, scoring a brilliant knock of 75 not out.
While he has had few opportunities to impress with the bat so far in the tournament, he has been outstanding with the ball – the off-spinner holds the record for most wickets with 10 and is a potential England prospect in the future.
Image: The team consists of players from three disability groups: physical disabilities, learning disabilities and hearing impairments.
Brendon Parr, Pirates: The Devon-born batsman is a new addition to the DPL, having featured for the England PD in a number of friendlies this year after impressive spells in county league cricket.
Parr’s 59 runs off 40 balls against the Black Cats was his third-highest score (192) and he has emerged as one of the tournament’s top batsmen.
Monty McKenzie, Pirates: McKenzie is a Hampshire cricketer who switched from Trident to Pirates and hopes to play for England in the future. After taking a wicket in Trident’s DPL final win in 2022, McKenzie will be aiming to win a second DPL title.
His off-spin proved vital to Pirates’ campaign, taking nine wickets and a tournament-best figure of 3-11.
How do players get involved?
Players are selected by team coaches in a draft consisting of international cricketers and domestic cricketers with recognised talent.DPL is at the middle of the road for disability cricket.
Players start on one of 51 teams competing in county championship competitions such as D40 QUEST and D40 PURSUIT. Players can progress to the DPL and ultimately the England International Programme where England compete against countries such as Australia, India and Pakistan.
Image: Watch the Disability Premier League final live on Sky Sports Cricket on Wednesday
What does the future hold for this competition?
The ECB wants the DPL to be the most diverse competition in the world, and that includes employing the most diverse staff behind the scenes.
Other ambitions include a first step towards a professional contract (currently there is no such contract for disability cricket), expanding the existing DPL and creating a women’s and visually impaired DPL. They are seeking further support from the International Cricket Council.
In terms of funding, there is an increasing amount of money going into disability cricket. The Super 1 programme in partnership with Lord’s Taverners has provided funding to place Disability Development Officers in all 39 County Cricket Boards, helping to get more disabled people involved in cricket.
The final promises to be packed with entertaining elite cricket, undiscovered talent and fascinating storylines, but it’s important to remember that for players and enthusiasts of disability cricket, it’s about much more than just cricket – you don’t want to miss it.
The Disability Premier League Final will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket on Wednesday, with coverage starting at 12.25pm.