An Oscar-winning performance by Middlesex disability cricketers

One of Britain’s most famous TV actors turned out to watch the Middlesex disability cricket team – but the players were the real stars.

Jim Carter – who plays butler Carson in ITV’s Downton Abbey – was among spectators watching Middlesex play Kent at Hampstead Cricket Club in north London.

The players dazzled, though, as they scored 349 record-breaking runs to beat their opponents in the record-breaking D40 League match on Sunday 21 June, completing their second win in a row.

Kent’s coaches said they were impressed with both the performance and the professional turn-out of the Middlesex disability cricket squad, which is sponsored by Lanes Group, the UK’s leading drainage, utilities and maintenance solution specialist.

Paul Jones, Transport Manager for Lanes Utilities, whose son, Rhys, was a member of the winning team, said: “It was a great day’s cricket, and having celebrity support was a real bonus. I am sure Jim Carter enjoyed the team’s win as much as we did.”

“It was an amazing match, with both teams slogging 4s and 6s around the ground like they were playing in an England vs New Zealand One Day International.”

“Jim Carter is chairman of Hampstead Cricket Club, and said it was the most runs he’d seen scored at the club in many years. It was a real spectacle. I’ve never seen anything like it in a disability cricket match.”

“The Kent coaching staff commented on how much the Middlesex team had improved from the opening game of the season, which was a Super 9s fixture that Kent won, along with a T20 friendly, quite easily.”

“They were also impressed with how professional the squad looked in their new kit, and with the pro equipment used in the warm ups and during the game.”

“It’s a sign that Lanes Group’s sponsorship is making a difference. Middlesex County Cricket Club wants its disability players to benefit from using high quality kit and training facilities, and Lanes Group’s funding is helping achieve that.”

Middlesex won the toss and batted first. Records tumbled as the squad posted 349 for 7 in their 40 overs, with a top score of 135 – the first ever Century for the Middlesex disability cricket team.

The innings total is a Middlesex disability cricket record in 40 overs cricket. And it is just one run short of a Middlesex CCC 40 over record, set when the county side notched up 350 for 6 against Lancashire at Lord’s in 2012, with Paul Stirling and Eoin Morgan both hitting centuries.

In reply Kent were all out for 257, with one of their players scoring a brilliant innings of 199 not out, in defiance of the Middlesex bowling attack – another record, the highest ever individual score in a D40 league match.

Paul Jones said: “It’s the first time Middlesex has won two games in a row. They play Essex next, where they will be full of confidence, hoping to make it a hat-trick of wins.

“It’s about looking good and playing good. This is the Middlesex’s first season in D40 cricket, and it looks like we can do very well. Having Lanes Group’s funding makes things a lot easier for the coaches.”

“They have all the kit and practice facilities they need to make the most of modern coaching methods. It’s a great opportunity to put disability cricket on the map in London.”