Blind Cricket- Everything you should know about:
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 (WBCC) since 1996. So far, four Blind World Cups have been held, New Delhi, India (1998); Chennai, India (2002) and Islamabad, Pakistan (2006). 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.
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. The rules of blind cricket are based on the standard Laws of cricket with some essential modifications.
Blind Cricket World Cup:
1998 winner South Africa
The 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 winner Pakistan
The second World Cup was held in Chennai, India in December. Pakistan defeated South Africa in the finals.
2006 winner Pakistan
The third World Cup was held in Islamabad, Pakistan, under the leadership of Aga Shaukat-Ali, the founder of Pakistan Blind Cricket Council.
2014 winner India
On 7 December 2014, India defeated Pakistan in the final at Cape Town, South Africa.
T20 Blind Cricket World Cup
The 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.
Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI):
Starting 2011, Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) is in place of Association for Cricket for the Blind India (ACBI) 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.
Rules of Blind Cricket:
Blind Cricket follows the standard Cricket rules along with some modifications to facilitate the blind players. The modifications are- First of all, the players are not all fully blind. In fact, there's fixed composition in the playing 11 that consists of a certain number of fully blind(called B1 category), partially blind( called B2 category) and partially sighted (called B3 category) cricketers.
- The ball that is used to play with is filled with some ball bearings so that it can be heard by the fully blind batsmen and fielders. All they do is hear the bearings inside the ball and play shots(or catch it)
- The bowling is underarm (always).
- The bowler shouts "Ready?" before releasing the ball to which the batsman must respond by saying "Yes". Then the bowler shouts "Play" before releasing the ball. The umpire declares a ball no ball if the timing of these calls by the bowler is inappropriate (too early or too late).
- There are special exemptions given to B1 players. Every run they score is doubled before adding to the scoreboard. They can take a catch on one bounce and it is out.
Conclusion:
Blind Cricket is a true manifestation of excellent human spirit and an instinct to perform, regardless of the disabilities. It is the time we give Blind Cricket true respect that they deserve.
To know more, please watch this video:
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