A stalwart of Saundersfoot cricket was bowled over recently when he got an invite recently from the England and Wales Cricket Board to travel to Dubai.

Selectors named Dickie Parcell in a 15-player squad to represent England in the first ever International Physical Disabilities Series starting in Dubai on Saturday.

The side will take on Pakistan Physical Disabilities squad in three 40-over matches and two Twenty20 matches at the ICC Global Cricket Academy.

Dickie, who was born without a fibula in both legs, has only three toes on his left foot and only two toes and no heel on his right foot, has played cricket for over 20 years at Saundersfoot, starting off with the seconds team and gradually forcing his way into the first team, who play in Division One of the Pembroke County Cricket League.

He had been chosen to represent the England team a couple of seasons ago, but the match was cancelled due to bad weather, so Dickie was delighted to receive his latest letter from former England captain Mike Gatting, who is manager of the disability development area of cricket.

ECB National Disability Cricket manager Ian Martin said: "The England and Wales Cricket Board have played the lead role in enabling this series to take place and I am very much looking forward to seeing Physical Disabilities cricket played on the international stage.

"It is just reward for our talented squad of players to be able to compete at the highest level and fantastic for the profile of disability cricket that matches will take place at the ICC Global Cricket Academy, whilst England men also play in the UAE.

"I'd like to thank the ECB and the Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association supported by PCB for making this series possible, and I hope the series will inspire many other children with disabilities to choose cricket," he added.