TAUNTON’S Ed Hossell could hold the key to success for England’s Visually Impaired cricket team at this month’s Blind World Cup, according to head coach Ross Hunter.

After joining the international setup last year, the 21-year-old has established himself as a crucial squad member and is now part of the 17-man group that will head to South Africa hoping to be crowned world champions for the first time.

Hossell, who has Stargardt disease, is an integral part of Hunter’s plans heading into the World Cup despite his relative newcomer status on the international scene.

And the coach believes that when it comes to the business end of the competition, Somerset CC’s Hossell is the type of player who can make a big difference.

“Ed came into the group in the middle of last year from the development leagues which is quite rare now,” said Hunter, whose England side kicks things off against Sri Lanka on November 27.

“He came from playing domestic cricket to making the step up and playing international cricket which was the old way for players to come into the team.

“But from the moment he picked up the bat there was no doubt that he looked every inch an England player.

“He’s gone from playing domestic cricket last year to throwing himself right in the mix for the starting 11 and that is no easy feat.

“In South Africa we need all our big players and Ed is someone who can handle what comes with playing at a World Cup and can make a real impact out there.”

England are yet to win a World Cup in visually impaired cricket and Hunter is aware that they will be up against it if they want to break the dominance of India and Pakistan this time around too.

But he says that England’s goal is to continue to build for the future and, with players like Hossell at his disposal, Hunter is confident they can reach their target.

He added: “Ed is a top order batter and has the ability to score hundreds for us in South Africa. So he is going to be vitally important when we go out there and is someone that could make a real difference for us.

“But he’s still young and got plenty to offer the side going forward past South Africa. I think there’s plenty more to come from Ed and he is looking like an incredibly reliable bowler and is an incredibly important player for us.”

n ECB is an inclusive organisation providing support and a pathway for disability cricket from grassroots to elite. Follow the England Visually Impaired Squad in South Africa at www.ecb.co.uk