FORMER Basingstoke and Hook cricketer Ross Hunter believes his England visually- impaired cricket team is on the cusp of doing something special ahead of next month’s Blind World Cup.

Hunter is the head coach for the national side and is getting his 17-man squad ready for November’s World Cup in South Africa, kicking things off with the test of Sri Lanka on November 27.

And, while the 33-year-old knows his side face some stern tests from the world’s best sides, he is optimistic about their chance to be crowned champions for the first time in England’s history.

However, whether his side brings back the game’s biggest prize or not, he believes the infrastructure is now in place to guarantee success sooner rather than later.

“England visually-impaired cricket is moving forward and we have the support from the ECB to do something really special with these players,” Hunter said.

“Did I have a dream of being involved in visually-impaired cricket?

“Probably not, but I’m so glad that I am.

“It’s an amazing bunch of people and we have a really interesting future coming up.

“As a team we have said we want to win a World Cup.

“We’ll do everything we can when we step on the plane to South Africa to try and win.

“When you get to a tournament you get to those final knockout stages and anyone can win.”

Hunter has been coaching for 10 years after ending a playing career that saw him represent Hampshire and Derbyshire.

And he says having the chance to work up close and personal with England’s visually-impaired side has been nothing short of inspirational.

“These guys are really inspiring but it’s the same as working with any perform-ance squad, we are bringing the players together with a clear idea of what we want to achieve,” added Hunter, who has been in the job for little over a year.

ECB is an inclusive organisation providing support and a pathway for disability cricket from grassroots to elite level. Follow the England visually-impaired squad in South Africa at www.ecb.co.uk.