Blind Cricket

Rules of Blind Cricket

The main difference between standard Cricket and Blind Cricket is the ball. A size three football is used in UK Blind Cricket to help the partially sighted players to see it and it is filled with a quantity of ball bearings to allow the totally blind players to hear it. The MCC Laws of Cricket have also been adapted in other ways in an attempt to allow blind and partially sighted people to compete on equal terms. The major variations are as follows:

 

The wicket is larger, making it easier for the partially sighted players to see and easier for a Batsman or Bowler to touch for the purpose of orientatation. The ball must pitch at least twice before the crease of a totally blind Batsman but must not be rolling. The ball must pitch at least once before the crease of a partially sighted Batsman. A totally blind Batsman is given one chance before being given out LBW and cannot be stumped. The Bowler must ask the Batsman if he is ready before beginning his run up and shout "play" as he releases the ball. A totally blind Fielder can make a catch after the ball has bounced once

In league matches there are rules regarding the number of players of different sight categories who are allowed to play in each side

A Full version of the laws can be found here

 

Sussex Sharks Vision Impaired Cricket Club

The club was started in 2002 entering the national league and knockout cup in 2003. after just two seasons of competitive cricket the team succeeded in becoming champions of the national league division 2 and winning promotion to the first division

Pictured above: Back row  (l to r) Terry Brady (umpire), Ian (Tiny) Morris, Miles Northwood, Andy Dalby-Walsh (Captain), Paul Gillett, Steve Birchell
Front row - Steve Andrews, Alan Wetherley, Marcus Bellinger, Joe Harrison, Dan Field and Geoff Smith