Completely blind or partially sighted cricketers can also play cricket. This is called blind cricket and it was first played in 1922. However, it took 70 years to form a governing body for this sport. This was the World Blind Cricket Council. It has ten full members including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, South Africa, England West Indies and Nepal.
A proper draft of the laws of this sport were laid down in 2005. While most of the rules follow the conventional laws of the sport, the most remarkable variations exist to compensate for the visual impairment.
A team of blind cricket can consist of four categories of players: four completely blind players (B1), three partially blind players (B2), and four partially sighted players (B3).
Audible cues are paramount in blind cricket. The cricket ball used is slightly larger and has a ball bearing which gives auditory feedback to the batters on the approaching ball. A ball must bounce twice when bowled to a completely blind player and once when bowled against a partially sighted player. When the bowler releases the ball, they have to yell “Play” our loud so that the batter knows the time of release of the ball.
Metallic and fluorescent stumps are used in blind cricket. While metallic stumps are for the auditory cue, the fluorescent stumps are for the partially sighted players. Moreover, metallic stumps also assist the batters in knowing their position from the stumps to take guard.The law of stumping does not apply to completely blind players. Moreover, these players are also allowed to catch the ball after one bounce. Additionally, to deem them leg before wicket, they must be given out by those means if they are out in that fashion twice. An illegal play in blind cricket is considered when the bowler rolls the ball on the pitch. In batting, blind cricket witnesses the sweep shot most often.
The Blind Cricket World Cups held in the One Day International format had been between 1998 and 2018. The inaugural edition was won by South Africa but has since been dominated by India and Pakistan who won two titles each. In the T20 format, the Blind Cricket World Cup has been dominated by India, who have won three of the four editions held as of 2024. Blind Cricket also has its own version of The Ashes. England have won three of the four series played till date.
