Basic
Rule Changes
The
game is not that different to the one you see on television and in the parks
throughout the summer today. The main variations are: -
The team is made up of a mixture of vision impaired and
totally blind
players.
The
ball is bowled under arm.
The ball must bounce at least twice before reaching the
batsmen.
Batsmen
may be restricted in the time they can spend at
the crease.
A totally blind bowler uses a caller
behind the stumps whilst bowling.
Apart
from these minor alterations to the rules, the game of Blind Cricket is very
similar to the game we all know.
The
Ball
The
game did not begin with the average red six-stitcher, the first balls were woven
out of cane in a basket-weave fashion around a wire frame (the result of the
first players being workshop employees). Inside the ball is a piece of lead for
weight and four or five bottle tops which make an audible sound when bowled, hit
or thrown.
The
current balls are woven with nylon tubing and are coloured black to contrast
with the white concrete pitch for the benefit of the vision impaired players.
The
ball is not completely round and this tends to make the ball kick, bounce, turn
sharply and hurt sometimes when hit. This combined with the ability of some
bowlers to bowl the ball at a speed in excess of 80 k.p.h. and this makes the
game fast moving and exciting to watch.
A
new ball will be introduced in Australia and the rest of the world on a trial
basis for two years from the end of 2002, this ball is made from a hard plastic
compound with small holes around it so sound may be omitted from the metal
washers and bottle tops that are inserted at during manufacture. This ball is a
white colour and therefore the game is better played on a synthetic or turf
wicket.
Common Questions
What is blind cricket? Essentially blind cricket is that same as one day cricket played by persons without a visual impairment. The game has a few modifications but essentially is the same. For the full score check out the "rules of the game".
Who can play? Blind cricket as the name suggests can be played by anyone with a visual impairment or is considered to be legally blind. To be classified as legally blind you are required to have a maximum vision of 6/60.
There three general categories within most of blind sports. This allows for competitors to complete in a more even environment. Although few other sports allow for the interaction between the different categories so freely.
B1: Totally blind player;
B2: Poor partially player
B3 Partially sighted player.
So you are not legally blind. Well neither am I and I still enjoy spending Saturday afternoon with some of the most down-to-earth people around. We are always looking for people to score the game, umpire or just come down and assist in the running of the afternoons in general.
BRIEF RULES SUMMARY
PLAYER CATEGORIES -
The minimum number of players required in each category is,
B1 players 2. (A totally blind player with no more than light perception)
B2 players 2. (A poor partially player with less than 2/60 vision)
B3 players 2. (A partially sighted player with less than 6/60 vision)
A minimum of 7 players per team is required for match to commence.
Note:- A player with for eg 2/60 vision sees at 2 metres what a fully sighted person sees at 60 metres.
BATTING -
During a batting innings there are batsmen at either end.
When a batsman has scored 40 runs (40 over match) they are required to retire. If a batsman exceeds 40 runs by scoring a 4 or 6, this will count towards the batsman score. If there are overs remaining at the end of the innings the retired batsman are allowed to return to the crease in the order they batted.
When a B1 batsman is on strike for the first run off the bat the fielders can only run out the runner attempting a run to the non-striker's end. If then the batsmen are attempting a second or more runs, the fielders may then attempt to run out either batsman at either end.
When a B2 or B3 batsman is on strike, the fielders may run out the batsman at either end.
When a batsman is on strike either runner is permitted to call.
When a B1 batsman is batting, another B1 player only may stump them. A B1 Batsman must remain in the crease until the bowler calls play.
The batting line up must be rotated between the three categories before the next player in that category may bat. The rotation order will depend on the number of players available in each category.
BOWLING -
A bowler is permitted to bowl a maximum of 20% of the overs available in an innings.
Example: A fourty over match, a bowler may bowl a maximum of eight overs.
CATCHING -
Category catching
A B1 fielder may catch the ball after one bounce to dismiss a batsman.
FIELDING -
During an innings byes, leg byes and over throws will be counted.
The nominated wicket keeper is permitted to bowl and a nominated alternative wicket keeper can replace that person.
At the end of each over the fielding team must bowl from the alternate end.
Wicket keepers must remain in a standing or crouching position until the bowler has called play. This means a wicket keeper cannot be on their knees until the bowler calls play.
OVERS -
Each innings shall consist of a maximum fourty overs. The number of overs may be reduced depending on time allowed.
B1 bowlers must bowl fourty percent of the overs to be bowled.
Example: In a forty over match, B1 bowlers must bowl sixteen overs.
If a fielding team fails to bowl their required number of B1 overs, the fielding team will be penalised by the addition of runs to the batting teams score. The penalty is calculated by multiplying the batting teams run rate by the number of remaining B1 overs.
If in either innings the bowling team fails to complete the required number of overs to be bowled in the allotted time. The team bowling is deducted a quarter of a point after 10 minutes has lapsed after the due completion time and then deducted a quarter of a point for every 10 minutes or there part of required to complete the remaining overs. The additional time taken to complete the first innings will be deducted from the change of innings break. This does not count if the team batting first is dismissed in less than the allotted time or overs.