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.Recently India won the blind T20 World Cup in 2017 by beating pakistan by 9 wickets.
History:-
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.
World’s first Test Cricket match for the Blind was played between Pakistan and South Africa in which Pakistan defeated South Africa by 94 runs.
South Africa won first BCWC in 1998 defeating Pakistan in the finals, while Pakistan consecutively won next two BCWC defeating South Africa and India in the finals in 2002 and 2006. In 2014 championship was won by India defeating the two time winner Pakistan.
Rules to play:-
World Blind Cricket Council International playing rules
WBCC International playing rules are classified in 25 classes. Each class has single or multiple clauses, the copy of original document can be found
The rules of blind cricket are based on the standard Laws of cricket with some essential modifications.
In terms of playing equipment, the major adaptation is the ball, which is significantly larger than a standard cricket ball and filled with ball bearings. The size allows partially sighted players to see the ball and the contents allow blind players to hear it. The wicket (stumps) is also larger, to allow partially sighted players to see and blind players to touch it in order to correctly orient themselves when batting or bowling.
Various other modifications to the rules apply. Verbal signals are widely used both by umpires and players: in particular, the bowler must shout 'Play!' as he releases the ball. The delivery is required to pitch at least twice when bowled to a completely blind batsman (once when bowled to a partially sighted batsman), but must not be rolling. Totally blind batsmen cannot be out stumped, and must be found to be LBW twice before going out. Totally blind fielders are allowed to take a catch on the bounce.
Segregation of Players
- There are a total number of 11 players in the two teams playing the match.
- Each team has four players who are totally blind, categorised under B1. Three players, partially blind, categorized under B2 and four players, partially sighted, categorized under B3.
Ball (Auditory Ball) The ball used is significantly larger than the regular cricket ball and is filled with ball bearings that provide audible cues.
Stumps The stumps used are also much larger than regular cricket stumps. It made up of hollow metal pipes, it should have three tubular stumps that is either fluorescent orange or yellow and many more.
India[edit]
Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled & Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI organizes state, zonal, national and international level cricket tournaments for the blind. The state level cricket tournaments are organized to select the best state team to participate in their respective zones (north, east, west and south). Zonal matches are held by Samarthanam and CABI by identifying local partners, including private and government bodies which affiliate with the organizers, lending their support to the tournament. The winners of the zonal matches play league matches to qualify for the finals.