A student from Monmouth is leading the first overseas tour by an England disabled cricket squad as they set out to face the Indians.

Greg Pendleton, 20, is captaining the England Cricket Federation team for people with disabilities on the 10-day trip.

I am very proud to have been selected - it has always been my ambition to play for England Greg Pendleton, captain

Mr Pendleton, who has club feet, was chosen after helping the Wales disabled team win the County Championship title.

The team will play three one-day matches on the tour.

"I have been playing cricket since I was about 15," said marketing management student Mr Pendleton.

"I am very proud to have been selected - it has always been my ambition to play for England.

"I've been playing for the Wales team for a while now, and basically they put my name forward.

"I feel a bit of trepidation because we are entering the unknown.

"But to be playing cricket in India is a dream come true," he said.

I just hope we can do better than England are doing in Australia at the moment Greg Pendleton, captain

Mr Pendleton will be joined on the tour by John Jones, from Croesyceiliog, Monmouthshire.

"So far, none of the team have had the chance to train together for this tour because people are living all over the UK," said Mr Pendleton.

"I have been doing a lot of jogging and weights, but I expect we will all be training frantically when we get to India.

"It is a very competitive game and everyone likes to win, so it should be good.

"I just hope we can do better than England are doing in Australia at the moment," said Mr Pendleton, who studies at the University of Gloucestershire.

Indian president

The team have had the support of the former Indian captain Ajit Wadekar, who played in 37 test matches.

During their tour, the mixed disabled squad are expected to meet the Indian President, Doctor APJ Abdul Kalam.

England team manager, Richard Wildgoose, said that preparations for the tour which begins on Saturday are going well.

"This tour is going to be a good experience for us and for Greg," said Mr Wildgoose.

"He is quite young to be captain but he is a very good cricketer.

"It is our first overseas tour and we are all really looking forward to it," he added.