With the current fate of the Trans-Tasman trophy yet to be decided, there is even more cricketing action this summer as teams from Australia and New Zealand go head to head at the 33rd Australian National Blind Cricket Championships. The Australian National Blind Cricket Championships run from December 28 to January 7.
Acting Minister for Sport Philip Dalidakis has welcomed the competing teams to Carlton’s Princes Park, which will join Fawkner Park as the battleground for 70 of the two nation’s top vision impaired cricketers. The event is possible thanks to an Andrews Labor Government grant.
“Blind cricket is an amazing sport to watch. It’s proof there are no barriers to a healthy and active lifestyle or a chance to shine.” Dalidakis commented.
Mr. Dalidakis explained that the Australian National Blind Cricket Championships pit Australia and New Zealand’s top players against each other in Twenty20 and one-day matches, all competing for national honours and vying for a spot on the Australian blind cricket team.
For those of you who are wondering Blind cricket is similar sighted cricket, but with a number of adaptations that allow blind or vision impaired players to compete. A unique cricket ball is the key feature, rattling as it moves to allow players to hear its location. Each team includes four totally blind players, three partially blind players, and four partially sighted players. Totally blind players are credited with two runs for every run scored off the bat.
“Events like the Australian National Blind Cricket Championships are great for Victoria. They mean more visitors, more patronage for nearby businesses and more opportunities for our grassroots clubs.” Mr. Dalidakis commented.
Mr. Dalidakis said that Victoria is the cricket capital of Australia. Some 324,000 Victorians play some form of the game, while fans flock to events like the Boxing Day Test and the Big Bash in their droves. The Labor Government is investing $25 million towards turning Junction Oval into a world-class home for the state’s best players.
The Labor Government is also partnering with Cricket Victoria and Cricket Australia to deliver a $12.4 million program aimed at helping the state build on its status as the national leader for cricket. The Community Cricket Program: On Common Ground will create new opportunities for all Victorians to pick up a bat or ball and enjoy the game.