Run out, stumped, or hit-wicket. However, in Blind Cricket, the fielding side must appeal for a dismissal, unlike regular cricket where the umpire can give someone out without an appeal.
Blind Cricket New South Wales (BCNSW) is a sports club based in Sydney, Australia that focuses on fostering, administering, and promoting the game of Blind Cricket in New South Wales. The club welcomes individuals with a vision impairment or who are considered legally blind to participate in the sport.
BCNSW primarily plays their games at their new home ground located at Bankstown Memorial Oval, located at 195 Chapel Road South, Bankstown NSW. The season runs from October until the end of March, providing ample opportunities for members to engage in Blind Cricket. The club is always on the lookout for volunteers who are passionate about supporting blind athletes.
While Blind Cricket primarily operates at a local level, it also has a national presence. The 2020 National Cricket Inclusion Championships were held in Geelong, Victoria in January 2020, where Blind Cricket teams from across Australia competed. BCNSW proudly represented New South Wales and secured the Blind and Low Vision Title for the third consecutive year.
Internationally, Australia's Blind Cricket team has toured various countries, including England, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, the UAE, and the West Indies. While there may not be any international tournaments in 2020, it is anticipated that Australia will participate in a T20 or ODI World Cup for Blind Cricket in 2021.
BCNSW provides an inclusive environment for individuals with different levels of visual impairment. The teams are composed of 11 players, with a minimum of four B1 players (no light perception or inability to recognise the shape of a hand), a minimum of two B2 players (ability to recognise the shape of a hand with limited visual acuity or visual field), and a maximum of five B3 players (higher visual acuity or visual field).
Matches in Blind Cricket are typically 20 or 40 overs per side. The equipment used includes a standard cricket bat approved by Blind Cricket and a special Australian Blind Cricket ball endorsed by Blind Cricket Australia. The bowling must be underarm, with the arm below the shoulder at the point of delivery. The batsmen can be dismissed in various ways as per the rules of cricket, and the fielding side must appeal for a dismissal.
Blind Cricket New South Wales strives to create opportunities for individuals with vision impairments to engage in a competitive and inclusive sport. With their dedication to fostering the game of Blind Cricket, the club welcomes new members and volunteers who are passionate about supporting visually impaired athletes on their journey.
