A YOUNG cricketer has his sights firmly set on winning the Ashes and he’s not going to let being partially deaf hold him back.

Jamie Sorbie, 18, already plays for England’s deaf/hearing impaired Lions squad, and hopes to be picked for the international Elite team one day.

A cricketing all-rounder, he’s just been given £250 by Ferndown Rotary Club to replace his worn out trainers, trousers and cricket bag.

Jamie, from Oakland Walk, in West Parley, said: “My goal is to win the Deaf Ashes.

“Cricket is just better than football and anything else.

“Everyone has their own sport and this is mine.

“Playing for their country is a chance that a lot of people never get, so it’s a great opportunity and that’s my motivation.”

Jamie has worn hearing aids in both ears since he developed severe hearing loss aged seven.

His father, older brother and sister have similar problems, but the family thought Jamie was different because he tested negative at birth.

“We’d gone on holiday to Australia and all through the month I just kept saying ‘What?’ all the time,” Jamie said.

He is set to get three As in his A Levels at Ferndown Upper School this summer yet fits in hours of weekly practice for the Lions, Parley Cricket Club and Dorset County around his studies.

He has also just passed Grade 6 Saxophone.

Jamie and his mum Shirley Sorbie are now both trustees of the Dorset Deaf Children’s Society.

Proud Shirley said: “I’ve brought the three children up to never let hearing problems hold them back and wanted them to be able to do everything that the hearing children do.”