10 May 2011

Vanuatu name deaf player in preliminary cricket squad

10:55 am on 10 May 2011

Vanuatu have named a deaf cricketer in their pre-selection squad ahead of July's East Asia Pacific Division One tournament in Papua New Guinea.

22 year old Willie John is unable to hear or speak but has impressed selectors with his performances behind the stumps for club side Ifira Blackbird.

Vanuatu Cricket High Performance Manager, Mark Coles, says Willie is the pride of the nation at the moment.

"He gives it everything he possibly can and he's put some really good performances together for his club Ifira. From there the selectors got together and said look, there's every reason why we should include Willie and I don't think his disability hinders his progress at all. He trains as hard as anyone and he's just really a true inspiration to everyone around him."

Mark Coles says the final squad will be announced in the next few weeks.