Blind cricket
Blind cricket is a version of the sport of cricket adapted for blind and partially sighted players. It has been governed by the World Blind Cricket Council since 1996. So far, five Blind World Cups have been held: New Delhi, India ; Chennai, India ; Islamabad, Pakistan, and India. In 2012, the first Blind World Cup T20 was held in Bangalore, India. Blind cricket relies on common use of the 'sweep shot', in order to provide maximum chance of the bat hitting the ball.
History
Blind cricket was invented in Melbourne in 1922 by two blind factory workers who improvised the game using a tin can containing rocks. The [|Victorian Blind Cricket Association] was founded shortly after, in 1922, and the first sports ground and clubhouse for blind cricket was built at Kooyong, Melbourne in 1928.World’s first Test Cricket match for the Blind was played between Pakistan and South Africa in which Pakistan defeated South Africa by 94 runs in the year of 2000.
South Africa won first BCWC in 1998 defeating Pakistan in the finals, while Pakistan consecutively won next two BCWC defeating South Africa and India in the finals in 2002 and 2006. In 2014 championship was won by India defeating the two-time winner Pakistan.
Rules
The rules of blind cricket are based on the standard laws of cricket with some essential modifications.WBCC international playing rules are codified in 25 clauses, first ratified in 2005.
There are a total number of 11 players in each team: at least four players who are totally blind and three partially blind players, and up to four partially sighted players.
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 to provide audible cues. The size allows partially sighted players to see the ball and the contents allow blind players to hear it. The wicket is also larger, made of metal tubes painted in fluorescent colours, 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, but must not be rolling. Totally blind batsmen cannot be out due to being stumped, and must be found to be LBW twice before going out. Totally blind fielders are allowed to take a catch on the bounce.
World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC)
The WBCC was established in 1996 during an international cricket meeting held in New Delhi, India in September 1996. The WBCC was set up with the objective of promoting and administering the game of blind cricket globally.Today the WBCC has 10 full members namely Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, West Indies and Nepal.
George Abraham of India is the founding Chairman of the WBCC. Under his leadership, the inaugural Blind Cricket World Cup was held in New Delhi in November 1998. Seven countries participated.
Peter Donovan of Australia took over as Chairman in 2004. In November 2008, George Abraham was re-elected as President of the WBCC.
Blind Cricket World Cup
;1998The first World Cup competition was held in New Delhi, India. The organisers faced a great difficulty when the government of India withdrew sponsorship at the last minute. South Africa defeated Pakistan in the final. India and Australia were the two semi-finalists.
;2002
The second World Cup was held in Chennai, India in December. Pakistan defeated South Africa in the finals.
;2006
The third World Cup was held in Islamabad, Pakistan defeated India, under the leadership of Aga Shaukat-Ali, the founder of Pakistan Blind Cricket Council.
;2014
On 7 December 2014, India defeated Pakistan in the final at Cape Town, South Africa.
;2018
On 20 January 2018, India defeated Pakistan in the final at Sharjah.
T20 Blind Cricket World Cup
;2012 winner IndiaThe first T20 Blind Cricket World Cup was held at Aditya Academy Ground in Bangalore, India in 2012. India defeated Pakistan by 29 runs in the final.
;2017 winner India
On 12 February 2017, India defeated Pakistan in the final at Bengaluru, India.
Regional organizations
British Blind Sport
The founding members of the British Blind Sport organisation were cricketers, and the association is the administrative body for the sport within the United Kingdom.Blind Cricket New South Wales (BCNSW)
Blind Cricket New South Wales is the home of blind cricket in New South Wales.Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI){{Cite web|title = Welcome to the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) Cricket Association for the Blind in India|url = http://www.blindcricket.in/|website = www.blindcricket.in|access-date = 2016-02-06}}
Starting 2011, Cricket Association for the Blind in India is in place of Association for Cricket for the Blind India set up in 1996. George Abraham is the founder of the registered voluntary body. Its objectives are to use competitive cricket to teach the blind to look at life positively, gain in confidence and strive to be winners rather than dependents; and to use the game as a medium to transmit the message of ability and talent to the society. The ACBI organised the first two Blind Cricket World Cups in 1998 and 2002.CABI is the apex body that organizes and conducts cricket for blind across India. CABI is a sports initiative of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled. It is a registered Non Profit Organization, affiliated to the World Blind Cricket Council. Conferred the hosting rights of the First Ever T – 20 World Cup in Bangalore in November /December 2012.
The primary goal of CABI:
- To create awareness among the public about the abilities and talent of the visually impaired youngsters through various platforms. Provide chances to exhibit their skills in front of a larger audience.
- Organizing and supervising a regular domestic calendar with coaching camps, tournaments at various levels and conducting bilateral series and overseas tours.
- Create strong network and infrastructure by taking on board active local bodies, blind schools and other bodies, formulate guidelines and supervise.
- Help the local bodies to organize local level tournaments to spot talent, form teams of coaches, physiotherapists, trainers, umpires and other team personnel and oversee them..
- Work steadfastly to get support and affiliation from BCCI and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC)
From 1997 onwards many registered clubs have come into existence and are affiliated with the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council. Cricket is now played regularly in schools among the blind. Tournaments are regularly organized in different cities of the country so that the blind may be able to meet, exchange information and have some fun. Rules similar to ‘sighted cricket’ are observed for cricket for the blind whenever it is played and efforts are being made to spread this all over the country.
In 2002 Government of Punjab allocated 45 Kanal space for the construction of Cricket stadium and facilities for PBCC. On construction it will be the first Cricket stadium built for Blind Cricketers.
Victorian Blind Cricket Association (VBCA)
The Victorian Blind Cricket Association 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, Victoria in 1928 and is still used today as the home of the VBCA.The Association now has four clubs with 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 VBCA provides an important role in the community by developing and providing opportunities for people who are blind or vision impaired to enjoy the recreational and social benefits of cricket. Additionally, the VBCA participates in cricket matches against sighted opposition in keeping with the philosophy of integration and working to remove barriers and isolating influences of having limited vision.
The ongoing aims and objectives of the VBCA are as follows:
- To further promote the game of Blind Cricket in Victoria
- Provides sport, fitness, and physical recreation opportunities for individuals of all ages who are legally blind
- Aims to improve the physical capabilities and self-confidence of individuals who are blind, visually impaired
Regional competitions
Australia
Blind cricket is widely played in Australia, with teams playing regular fixtures in the states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, as well as in the Australian Capital Territory. Every two years State cricket teams meet for the Australian Blind Cricket Championships. The 31st National Blind Cricket Championships was held in Queensland in 2012.England v Australia
The first blind cricket "Ashes" competition was held in England in August 2004. Five one-day matches were played, with England winning the Ashes by three games to two.A return series of five matches was held in Sydney, Australia, in December 2008, resulting in a controversial 3-0 victory for England. Australia was victorious in a 2012 contest but England regained the ascendancy in 2016.
India
Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled & Cricket Association for the Blind in India. Zonal matches are held by Samarthanam and CABI by identifying local partners, including private and government bodies which affiliate with the organizers, lending their support to the tournament. The winners of the zonal matches play league matches to qualify for the finals.Pakistan
The first regular match for the blind was played in Karachi in 1978 between Lahore and IDA RIEU School, Karachi. During this period several matches were played at school level.The PBCC has organized eight major National Tournaments besides Two Double-Wicket Tournaments since it is established in 1997.