DISABLED cricketer Mark Pickersgill from Dorchester could be on his way to India with the England team.

The talented 26-year-old Dorset county captain, who has suffered from rheumatoid arthritis since childhood, is hoping he'll be chosen for the national disabled squad for its first major overseas tour.

Mark is appealing to businesses and individuals for donations towards the £20,000 needed to cover tour costs.

The funds would see the country's top disabled cricketers take on rival teams in India, where disabled cricket enjoys a higher profile than in the UK.

Mark, of Poundbury Crescent, has already made two appearances for the English disabled cricket team and has captained Dorset's disabled team to victories across the country.

He said: "The English and Welsh have disabled teams and Scotland is getting one together, so we hope this tour to India will make disabled cricket even bigger. But they need at least £20,000 before anything can happen.

"There are people in the team who have lost a limb, people in wheelchairs, people with physical, mental and learning disabilities. I use sticks because my hips aren't very strong."

Mark, who is rent control and contracts officer for Magna Housing Association, admitted his selection for the team was not certain, but he said: "Hopefully I've been picked. If you're picked twice in a row, you might be picked again."

A lifelong cricket fan, he started playing eight years ago after taking part in a demonstration match with other disabled players.

Now he regularly leads the county team out onto some of the world's most famous grounds, including Lord's, Old Trafford and the Oval.

Mark, normally number five batsman as well as an underarm spin bowler, is also captain of the reserve England side.

He encouraged disabled cricket fans to join the county group at indoor practice during the winter. The club can be contacted through Mark's father Gordon, who is secretary, on (01305) 269437.