REDDITCH visually impaired cricketer Luke Sugg was crowned one of the best batsmen around at the Blind World Cup – but he has no intention of stopping there.

Sugg travelled to South Africa aiming to mark a decade in the England team by lifting the World Cup and, while they fell to Pakistan in the semi-finals, he still had plenty to be proud about.

The 25-year-old and England’s vice-captain was the leading run-scorer in the tournament – four centuries contributing to an overall total of 589 at an average of 147.3.

Sugg hit a man-of-the match unbeaten 162 off just 122 deliveries in the opening defeat of hosts South Africa and was subsequently named the best batsman in the B3 category.

And, while enjoying a well-earned rest until the New Year, Sugg is already thinking about next summer’s encounters with world champions India and picking up from where he left off.

“I will not be easing off after my performances in the World Cup,” he said. “We have a three-match series against India in the summer and I’ve already told the coach that I’m going to go six centuries unbeaten – although he then said we have two T20s so it could be eight.

“It was the best tournament I have managed so far and puts me up there with being one of the best batsmen in world. I got three centuries on the bounce and it was nice to finish it off on a high.

“Going into the tournament I felt in quite good form. I scored 162 and then 52 against India which was quite a scrap. But I told the coach that I needed to play against Bangladesh in the tour match to get back into touch.

“It’s always good to get runs against Australia. I hit 134 off 71 balls which is probably the quickest I’ve ever scored. But then for determination, probably the hit against Pakistan in the semi-final, who were then the best team in the world, to score a century against them was a great feeling.”

Led by coach Ross Hunter, England fell just one step before the final, with Pakistan successfully chasing down England’s total of 264 with eight wickets to spare.

Pakistan then lost to sub-continent rivals India in the final and, disappointed not to make it all the way to the final, Sugg insists there is still plenty of reason for optimism going forward.

“It was about little wins, whether for an individual player or the team. We stuck together really well over the three weeks even when things were getting tense in the semi-final,” he added.

“I have got belief that this team can go far. Just seeing the improvements that we made from the first game to the last one in South Africa – we came on so much.

“With another six months hard work, hopefully when the world champions come over in the summer we can give them a really good contest and hopefully come out on top.”

The England Blind team’s next tournament will be in May 2015, taking on defending champions India in England. If you would like more information about Blind Cricket or to find your nearest club please contact www.bcew.co.uk