|
Cricket for the Blind has become an increasingly popular sport for many blind and visually impaired persons. LOFOB’s cricket team has been in existence for over 5 years and competes in the local Western Province Blind Cricket league. Through the years we have produced a number of players that have gone on to achieve their Provincial and National colours.
Cricket for the Blind is the most unique version of the game and the only version that boasts major adaptations of the rules as well as the equipment. Cricket for the blind in South Africa is co-ordinated by Blind Cricket South Africa, which is affiliated to the international governing body the World Blind Cricket Council. The current MCC laws of cricket are adhered to and certain adaptations to make the game accessible to blind and visually impaired persons are used in conjunction with these laws.
We encourage the participation of sighted individuals as spectators, players, volunteer umpires, scorers and coaches. If you are interested in participating, volunteering, being a sponsor or donor mail to info@lofob.org.za
ADAPTATIONS
Games are played between two teams each consisting of 11 players per side. To ensure that the game is accessible and fair to both blind and partially sighted a classification system based on sight is used to class players for participation. Both teams should have a minimum of four totally blind players (B1); three partially blind players (B2) and a maximum of 4 partially sighted players (B3)
A B1 batsman is allowed a runner while a B2 batsman has the option of one.
All runs scored by off the bat of a B1 batsman will be doubled and credited to the batsman. A B1 fielder is entitled to take a one-bounce catch to end a batsman’s innings.
As sound plays an important role in any blind or visually impaired persons life, it is also a critical part of the game. Before a delivery a bowler must ask the batsman if he/ she is “ready” when he is set to bowl. The batsman will then respond with a shout of “yes”. The bowler will start his run up and at the point immediately before releasing the delivery the bowler will shout, “play”. Batsman use normal cricket bats while the ball is made of a durable plastic material with little ball bearings that make an audible sound while moving. The cricket stumps can be made of plastic, metal or wood but must be fluorescent orange or yellow.
CRICKET SIGHT CLASSIFICATION:
B1: No light perception in either eye up to light perception, but inability to recognise shape of a hand at any distance or in any direction
B2: From ability to recognise the shape of the hand up to a visual acuity of 2/60 or visual field of less than five degrees in the better eye after correction.
B3: From visual acuity above 2/60 up to visual acuity of 6/60 or a visual field of less that 20 degrees in better eye after correction.
|
Let us do your running around while you get on with your important business.