TOWN'S PAUL ASHES CALL (From Warrington Guardian)

TOWN'S PAUL ASHES CALL

MIDDLEWICH Town Reserves footballer Paul Allen is basking in sunshine and praise Down Under having been selected to represent England in the Deaf Cricket Association's Ashes tour.

Allen, who also plays cricket for Northwich County League side Winnington Park, is already bowling them over in Australia with good performances in the first test.

Paul's dad Mike said: "We're all really proud of him and he's the only cricketer from the north west to have been picked for the team.

"He's also the youngest member of the squad, so it's a massive achievement and he's one of seven players to have been told they will play every game if fit."

The squad flew out to Sydney last Tuesday and spent the first week in Australia preparing for the tour, but on Saturday they began their competitive fixtures with a one-day match against New South Wales.

The match was not quite what they expected though as it was played on an artificial wicket because of rain.

And Allen, who is England's main strike bowler, was not risked on the poor surface because of his importance to the squad for the Ashes matches.

An importance that was shown to the full on Monday, the first day of the first test, when Paul took his first wicket of the tour.

Sadly it was not enough to stop Australia powering their way to a strong position as they finished their first innings on 480-8 before declaring and then proceeded to bowl England out for just 120.

As the Guardian went to press England were in the middle of their second innings and were still struggling on 60-5.

But there is plenty of time for Paul and the rest of the squad to turn things around as the tour continues until February 18, incorporating two further test matches and five one-day internationals as well as two friendly one-day games.