New South Wales players have led the way for Australia in securing the Blind & Low Vision Ashes series this week, largely buoyed by Steffan Nero’s knocks of 135 (off 72 balls) and 75 (off 55 balls) during the crucial fifth and sixth matches that were instrumental in bringing the trophy home with two matches to spare.
NSW bowler Lincoln Muddle, who made his debut for Australia at the start of the series, showed great skills, finishing 3/29 in the fifth match, toppling reigning champions England in the tournament that is being played after eight years.
The multi-format series comprises a total of eight matches - three ODIs and five T20Is - at various cricket venues around the Gold Coast. Australia won all five matches played (one ODI and four T20s). The remaining were abandoned due to rain.
Nero, who holds a world record in cricket with a triple century he scored (309 n.o.) against New Zealand in the International Cricket Inclusion Series in 2022, is widely known for his consistent centuries, which, in this case, propelled the hosts to their victories to secure the definitive series win for Australia earning him the Player of the Series title in the B3 category. Muddle, who started playing blind & low vision cricket about a year ago, has shown a lot of promise as a newcomer. The other NSW players in the squad include Oscar Stubbs, Matt Cameron, Stephen Palmer and Shaun Fitzpatrick. Palmer also scored a century in the first ODI.
Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon congratulated the NSW players for their contribution to Australia’s Series win and said:
“We are proud of Steffan, Lincoln and the other NSW players for their stellar performances at the Blind & Low Vision Ashes Series and winning a tournament against England that is being played after eight years.
“Our NSW all-abilities players have smashed records and made their mark consistently in national and international cricket, a testament to the fact that the great game is for everyone to play and love.
“We will continue to nurture our all-abilities players and create pathways for them to be able to compete at the highest levels of the game and bring out the best in them.”