GLOUCESTERSHIRE has launched its first ever hard ball disability cricket team.

The brand new side will take to the field for the first time against Essex on May 17 following an intensive pre-season training programme.

The team – who train at Gloucester City Winget CC – has been formed through a partnership between the Gloucestershire Cricket Board (GCB) and community interest company So Fab Sports.

GCB projects and programmes manager Chris Munden said: “The formation of our first disability hard ball team is a hugely exciting development. Our aim is to make cricket accessible for everyone, regardless of age or ability and I am delighted that we now have somewhere for people with a disability to play competitively.”

Gloucestershire already has a visually impaired cricket club – The Gloucestershire Growlers – a soft ball team which started last season and are in the process of setting up a deaf team.

The squad trained at The Crypt School, Gloucester, during the winter and have now started practicing outdoors in preparation for the league season. Sessions have been led by GCB community coach Masoor Khan with support from Dale Rawlins and other coaches from So Fab.

Gloucestershire will compete in an ECB league, facing Essex, Hampshire, Surrey (twice), Kent and Middlesex during the summer.

The team will be training at Gloucester City Winget every Tuesday night from 4.30pm-5.30pm. To get involved or for more information, contact chris.munden@glosccc.co.uk.