Triple boost for blind cricket from MCC

Date released: 31 July 2003

MCC is delighted to announce a triple boost for blind cricket. It consists of:

• Lord's hosting a blind cricket demonstration during the luncheon interval on the second day of the npower Test (1st August), between England and South Africa, in front of thousands of cricket fans;

• the Nursery Ground at Lord's staging the finals of the British Blind Sport / Primary Club Knock-Out cricket tournament, on Saturday 23rd August; and

• free admission to these finals, to enable the largest possible number of people to learn about blind cricket and how it is played.

For Friday's demonstration, the cricketers - who will include the captains of both England (Adam Benjamin) and South Africa (Rory Field) - will walk onto the outfield via the Pavilion steps and the MCC gates, giving them the same experience of Lord's as any Test player.

Announcing the news, MCC's Secretary & Chief Executive, Roger Knight, said: "MCC has long been a supporter and sponsor of blind cricket in Britain. We want to give blind cricketers every opportunity to enjoy Lord's and show their considerable skills to the widest possible audience. I am sure that tomorrow's demonstration will be enjoyed by countless spectators. Later this season, the Knock-Out Finals will give everyone another chance to see this impressive form of cricket for themselves".

The founding members of British Blind Sport (BBS) were cricketers, and cricket has been played by blind and partially sighted people in England and Wales since the 1940s. All players are either registered blind or partially sighted, with each eleven-strong team including at least four totally blind cricketers.

BBS runs two competitions each year for clubs across the country:

• the BBS Cricket League: there are two divisions, with each club playing two single innings matches against every other League member; and

• the BBS / Primary Club Knock-Out Finals.

In addition, BBS is responsible for running England's blind cricket team which - helped by MCC sponsorship - has competed in the last two World Cups.

The main differences between blind and conventional cricket include:

• the ball. In blind cricket, a size three football, containing some ball bearings, is used. This can be seen by partially sighted players and heard by wholly blind cricketers;

• the wicket. In blind cricket, the wicket is larger, making it easier for the partially sighted players to see and for all batsmen and bowlers to touch, for purposes of orientation;

• "Play". The bowler must ask the batsman if he is ready before beginning his run-up and shout "Play" as he releases the ball; and

• catches. A totally blind cricketer can make a catch after the ball has bounced once.