Cricket is for the blind too

“Whenever I play cricket my inner strength comes out,” says Tania Harris who is legally blind.

She was diagnosed with macula degeneration which is a rare and genetic eye disorder that causes vision loss, at the age of 13-years-old. This caused her sight to deteriorate which resulted in her having a blurry vision today.

Tania’s life started out as a cyclist and a runner. However due to her sight deteriorating, she was forced to let go of those hobbies and she chose to play Blind Cricket instead.

She has been playing Blind Cricket since 1997 and although she did not know anything about the sport at the time, she decided to try it out anyway to overcome her disability.

“I started my cricket career with the males, and learned very early “If you want to run with the dogs, do not whine like a puppy,” she joked.

“Because I am adventurous, I did not let a predominantly male sport hinder me from playing it. Instead, I faced my fears and took on the challenge,” Tania said.

Blind cricket is an interesting game and only certain individuals are allowed to participate and they are categorised as follows: Visually Impaired: B1, Blind: B2 and Partially Blind and Partially Sighted: B3.

Theresa Roberts, founder of Northerns Blind Cricket says the game is played the same as cricket.

“The ball is the same size as a normal cricket ball and under-arm bowling is required,” says Theresa.

The ball needs to bounce twice and the batsman needs to hear it rolling so that they know it is getting close towards them. Every bowler has a keeper who gives him directions.

Before bowling, the keeper would ask, “Are you ready?” As soon as bowler is ready, the keeper would yell, “Play” and that is when the bowler and batsman know when to prepare themselves.

“I have seen how the players gain confidence on the pitch which is always a rewarding feeling,” Theresa said.

On Thursday (24 September) The Titans Ladies Cricket Team will take on the Northerns Ladies Blind Cricket Team which is the first of its kind in South Africa in a T20 match.

There is however a catch for the sighted players. The Titan ladies will wear simulation specks which simulate eye conditions similar to visually impaired players.

The game will be played according to blind cricket rules and takes place in Pretoria at the Transwerke cricket grounds.

Visit their Facebook page for more details.

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