Somerset disabled cricketer Andy Margetts is putting the finishing touches to his packing before he sets off shortly with the England Disabled Team for a tour of India.

Thirty nine year old Andy who lives in Taunton is the only player from the Cider county who has been selected to make the thirteen day trip, during which England will play three Test matches against the host nation.

Andy was a founder member of the Somerset Disabled Cricket Club, and over the last few years has represented his country on a number of occasions.

Julian Bellew, the secretary of the Disabled Cricket Club told me: "It has been great for everybody at the club to have Andy playing for England. During the past season he has been outstanding and made a number of invaluable contributions for his country."

All rounder Andy has also been in good form for Somerset in 2002, the highlight of which was a century against Hampshire, and helping the team to get through to the quarter finals of the national knock out competition before missing out to the Isle of Wight who were the losing finalists.

Earlier this week Andy told me: "This is the chance of a lifetime and I am really looking forward to it. This will be the highspot of my cricket career and I'm aiming to make the most of it."

Andy continued: " I have received a lot of sponsorship from various local organisations, including £200 from Somerset County Cricket Club, and I'm very appreciative of all the support that I have been given to help me make this trip." Chief executive Peter Anderson told me: "Somerset County Cricket Club are thrilled to bits that Andy has gained representative honours. This means that the Club are represented right through the national youth teams, in the women's game and now in the disabled side, in fact it's a clean sweep for Somerset."

To celebrate their successful season Somerset Disabled Cricket Club are holding their annual dinner at the Civil Service Club in Taunton on Friday November 29th.

Anyone wishing to attend the dinner should contact the club secretary Julian Bellew on 01460 54537.

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