ENGLAND finished their first Vitality IT20 Physical Disability Tri-Series on home soil in fitting style with a 22-run win over a Pakistan-Bangladesh select side at Worcester's Blackfinch New Road.

But for Ian Salisbury, the former Test leg-spinner in his second year as England’s full-time head coach, there was so much more to celebrate than on-field success.

“This week was about the visibility of disability cricket,” said Salisbury.

“Here we are at one of the great county grounds before a big Friday night game in the Vitality Blast and we’ve shown a few more people what the ECB are doing with disability cricket and the special people involved.”

Worcestershire's Daryl Mitchell, the Professional Cricketers’ Association chairman, presented medals to all the players and a trophy to England captain Iain Nairn after their victory in a one-off fixture supported by the University of Worcester.

“It was great of Daryl to do that,” added Salisbury. “And he just said to me ‘Wow’.

"How many people here expected to see a bloke running up with a crutch to open the bowling? People taking catches with one hand as though it’s normal? That’s the inspirational bit. That’s progress.”

Ian Martin, the ECB’s head of disability cricket, was proud of having hosted Bangladesh and Pakistan and the quality of cricket displayed over the week.

Pakistan won the Vitality Tri-Series hosted by Barnards Green, Worcester's Old Elizabethans and Kidderminster before England wrapped things up at Worcestershire's headquarters.

“For me it’s been about the standard of cricket and how all three teams have developed since the last time they played in Dubai in 2016,” said Martin.

“The comments I’ve had from people who’ve watched this not really knowing what to expect have been really positive.

“From an England perspective we’ve been able to blood four new players, all under the age of 20, into international cricket.

"We’ve given them their first experience of international cricket in a tournament in England so that bodes well for the future when we play abroad.

“We’d like to thank Worcestershire CCC, the county board and the University of Worcester, all of whom have been really supportive.

"Giving these guys the opportunity to play on one of the iconic county grounds is fantastic. For me it’s the platform these guys deserve for the skills they have.”

Hugo Hammond was the batting star at New Road with 68 from 44 balls including eight fours and two sixes as England posted 178-7.

Cheshire’s Dan Hamm then took two wickets and Lancastrian Callum Flynn 3-14 as the visitors were restricted to 156-8.

But arguably the greatest positive from the tournament for England was Liam O’Brien, a teenage all-rounder from Sussex.

“I presented him with his cap on the first day and that was a huge honour for me to do that because I’ve been on a bit of a journey with him,” reflected Salisbury.

“I heard about this kid who’d played for Sussex at age group levels but was then having his heart broken not getting into the academy because of a lack of a mobility.

“Then they found out he had bilateral talipes so he’s also got to cope with being told he’s got a disability. But then someone suggested to him disabled cricket.

“I met him at Hove, watched him smashing our best bowlers around in a net. I have been able to sit down with him, get to know him and see him grow over the last 12 months to be probably the stand-out performer for us in this tournament.

"He’s taken fantastic catches, scored runs at the hardest times for us and taken the most wickets. To watch a 19-year-old do that in front of his family every single day, they deserve everything they get.”