Blind cricket

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

Contents

[edit] 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.

[edit] Competitions

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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. Results and other information about these Championships can be found on http://www.championships.vbca.org.au/

[edit] External links

[edit] News

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