BU student represents England in Visually impaired Ashes

The cricket scholar, David Howells, started his career when he was just fourteen years old, when he was selected for the England Academy.

David is currently a third year BSc (Hons) Sport Management student at Bournemouth University.

David will be competing in the fifth Men’s Visually Impaired series against Australia in a series of tournaments that started on November 17.

In the past, David has also won the national league with his county team and a national Visually Impaired T20 tournament.

In 2023 he represented the England team and served as Vice Captain at the IBSA World Blind Games in Birmingham competing against Australia, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

David states that playing cricket from a young age is definitely one of the reasons he plays so well today.

He said: “Representing England is always an honour, however representing England in an Ashes series in Australia feels more special.

“It was also my One Day International debut, which I will look back on with great fondness. 

“My ultimate goal of course is to lead out the England team as Captain one day.”

When David returns to Bournemouth, he will continue his studies in Sports Management, alongside playing and training regularly with the England VI Cricket team.

Dr Ben Powis, Senior Lecturer in Sport at BU and expert in disability sport research, who has been supporting David with his studies, said: “We are immensely proud that David is representing the England Visually Impaired Cricket Team in the 2024 VI Ashes.

“Like the sighted version, this fiercely competitive series involves some of the world’s most highly skilled cricketers.

“It’s going to be a fantastic showcase of what blind and partially sighted athletes can do in sport.

“We are rooting for David and the rest of the team in their attempt to retain the trophy.”

The matches will be available to watch on Cricket Australia’s YouTube channel, with the series ending on November 25.