Blind cricket

Blind Cricket is a version of the sport of cricket adapted for blind and partially sighted players.

The sport has been played since the 1920s.

Within the United Kindgom.

The founding members of the British Blind Sport organization were cricketers, and the association is the administrative body for the sport within the United Kingdom.

UK Rules

The rules of blind cricket are based on the standard Laws of cricket with some essential modifications.

In terms of playing equipment, the major adaptation is the ball, which is significantly larger than a standard cricket ball and filled with ball bearings. The size allows partially sighted players to see the ball and the contents allow blind players to hear it. The wicket (stumps) is also larger, to allow partially sighted players to see and blind players to touch it in order to correctly orient themselves when batting or bowling.

Various other modifications to the rules apply. Verbal signals are widely used both by umpires and players: in particular, the bowler must shout 'Play!' as he releases the ball. The delivery is required to pitch at least twice when bowled to a completely blind batsman (once when bowled to a partially sighted batsman), but must not be rolling. Totally blind batsmen cannot be out stumped, and must be caught twice to be given out LBW. Totally blind fielders are allowed to take a catch on the bounce.

Competitions

United Kingdom

Two domestic competitions are run: the two-division BBS Cricket League, based around single-innings matches played around the country throughout the cricket season; and the BBS Primary Club National Knockout Cup, a knockout competition of limited-overs matches held each August at Lord's Cricket Ground.

Australia

Blind cricket is widely played in Australia, particularly in the states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and in the Australian Capital Territory, each of which boasts a number of teams in regular competition. Every two years State cricket teams meet for the Australian Blind Cricket Championships. The Vision Australia 29th National Blind Cricket Championships were held in Melbourne 28th December 2007 - 12th January 2008.

United Kingdom v Australia

The first Blind Cricket Ashes competition was held in England in August 2004. 5 matches were played, with England winning the Ashes by 3 games to 2. A return series of 5 matches is scheduled to be held in Sydney, Australia, in December 2008.

Organisations

Victorian Blind Cricket Association (VBCA)

The Victorian Blind Cricket Association (VBCA) is the home of blind cricket in Victoria. Blind cricket was invented in Melbourne in 1922. The world's first sports ground and clubhouse for blind people was developed at Kooyong [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kooyong%2C_Victoria] , Melbourne in 1928 and is still used today as the home of the VBCA.

The Association now has four clubs and approximately 70 vision impaired and blind members and several volunteers.

Current clubs:

*Burwood Blind Cricket Club
*Glenferrie Lions Blind Cricket Club
*Institute Blind Cricket Club
*St. Paul's Blind Cricket Club

The Victorian Blind Cricket Association is located in the Charlie Bradley Pavilion, at the rear of 454 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong VIC 3144 (opposite the Kooyong Tennis Stadium [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kooyong_Stadium] ). Games are played on Saturday afternoons from October through to March and spectators are most welcome.

The postal address for any written enquiries is:

Victorian Blind Cricket Association

454 Glenferrie Road, KOOYONG VIC 3144

If you wish to speak to someone, the following people are available:

Secretary

Nick Pepper

mailto:[e-mail]

Blind Cricket New South Wales (BCNSW)

Blind Cricket New South Wales (BCNSW) is the home of blind cricket in New South Wales.

The postal address for any written enquiries is:

Blind Cricket NSW

PO Box 852 Penrith NSW 2750

mailto:[e-mail]

External links

* [http://www.blindcricket.org.uk/ Blind Cricket UK]
* [http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/NATIONAL/PAK/ASSOCIATIONS/PBCC/ Pakistan Blind Cricket Council]
* [http://www.vbca.org.au/ Victorian Blind Cricket Association]
* [http://www.qbca.org.au/ Queensland Blind Cricket Association]
* [http://www.blindcricket.com/ Blind Cricket New South Wales]

News

* [http://www.dhartipakistan.com/2006/12/04/cricket-world-cup-for-the-blind-starts-in-islamabad/ Cricket World Cup for Blind 2006 held in Pakistan]
* [http://www.dhartipakistan.com/2006/12/17/pakistan-cricket-blind-world-cup-2006/ Pakistan wins blind cricket World Cup 2006]
* [http://www.blindashes.com/ Blind Cricket Ashes series, Sydney, December 2008]