Cricket for the Visually Impaired
Cricket for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a structured, competitive team sport that enables blind and partially sighted players to participate meaningfully in cricket through adapted equipment, modified rules, and classification-based competition.
It is in fact a completely unique version of the game – boasting major adaptations of the rules as well as the equipment.
Cricket offers enjoyment and opportunity for participants at all levels.
Whether played recreationally at a local level or competitively on an international stage, this inclusive sport promotes physical fitness, teamwork, and confidence, while demonstrating that athletes with visual impairments can compete at high levels and proudly represent their communities and country.
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Cricket for the Blind
i. About Cricket for the Blind
ii. International Cricket
iii. Rules
iv. Categories
v. Cricket South Africa
vi. The Differently Abled Cricket Club
Cricket for the Blind
Cricket for the Blind and Visually Impaired is an adapted version of traditional cricket that allows individuals who are blind or partially sighted to participate fully and competitively in one of the world’s most popular sports.
Through the use of specialised equipment, clearly defined classification categories, and modified playing rules, the sport creates an equitable and safe environment in which visual impairment does not limit opportunity, skill development, or performance.
The game retains the core structure and spirit of conventional cricket, including batting, bowling, fielding, and team strategy, while introducing adaptations such as an audible ball, underarm bowling, and clearly regulated fielding zones. These adjustments ensure that players can rely on sound, spatial awareness, and communication rather than sight alone.
Matches are played in teams, with each side comprising players from different visual impairment classifications to ensure balance and fairness.
The game retains the core structure and spirit of conventional cricket, including batting, bowling, fielding, and team strategy, while introducing adaptations such as an audible ball, underarm bowling, and clearly regulated fielding zones. These adjustments ensure that players can rely on sound, spatial awareness, and communication rather than sight alone. Matches are played in teams, with each side comprising players from different visual impairment classifications to ensure balance and fairness.
International Cricket
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the global governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from Australia, England and South Africa. It was renamed as the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1989.
The ICC has 104 members: 12 Full Members that play Test matches and 92 Associate Members. The ICC is responsible for the organisation and governance of cricket’s major international tournaments, most notably the Cricket World Cup. It also appoints the umpires and referees that officiate at all sanctioned Test matches, One Day International and Twenty20 Internationals. It promulgates the ICC Code of Conduct, which sets professional standards of discipline for international cricket, and also co-ordinates action against corruption and match-fixing through its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU).
The ICC does not control bilateral fixtures between member countries (which include all Test matches), it does not govern domestic cricket in member countries, and it does not make the laws of the game, which remain under the control of the Marylebone Cricket Club.
To Learn More visit: The Home of the International Cricket Council
Rules
In disability cricket, there are a few rules and regulations that are specific to the different impairment groups. Where possible the game is played in accordance with the MCC Laws of Cricket but there are some differences which are detailed below.
There are some rule differences for the B3 classification in competition that are sport specific. In blind cricket, no more than four players in this class are allowed out of the eleven total players.
The rules of blind cricket are based on the standard laws of cricket with a few modifications. All players are registered blind or partially sighted, and of the eleven players in the team, at least four must be totally blind. Many clubs play friendly matches against sighted teams and give demonstrations of the game during the lunch intervals of Test Cricket Matches.
Teams are composed of players from up to five different sight categories B1, low partial, B2, B3 and B4. B1 is totally blind and the sight categories then move upwards in levels of sight. Each sight category is subject to different rules and compensations in order to make the playing field as level as possible.
Categories
The cricketers are categorized according to the level of their sight loss.
CLASS
CONDITIONS
B1
no sight up to the ability to see the difference between light and dark.
B2
from the ability to be able to distinguish the shape of an object held in front of their face, up to, a sight acuity of 2-60. This means that they can see at a range of only two meters, what a fully sighted person can see at 60 meters. Or, they have a field of vision of less than five degrees.
B3
an acuity of 6-60. They can see at six meters what a fully sighted person can see at 60 meters. Or, a field of vision of less than 20 degrees.
A playing XI must have a minimum of four B1s and a maximum of four B3s. Any category can be replaced by a player of a lower category to make up the XI. There must be a B1, B2 and a B3 player in each cycle of three batsmen where possible.
The ball is made of moulded plastic with steel ball bearings inside to make it rattle. The ball must bounce at least once in each half of the wicket and must be delivered underarm.
A B1 player must have a runner and a B2 player has the option of having a runner if they wish. Each run scored by a B1 player counts as two.
The pitch is of a standard length and the stumps are painted yellow or orange to make them easier to see. Boundaries must be a minimum of 45 metres and a maximum of 55 metres
Cricket South Africa
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has three Disability entities affiliated to the organisation, namely Blind Cricket South Africa (BCSA); South African Deaf Cricket Association (SADCA) and South African Sports Association for the Intellectually Impaired (SASA-II).
Blind Cricket have a senior structure which also caters for school-going children. Due to a limited number of club teams within an Affiliate or Associate, the clubs programme is coordinated amongst neighbouring Affiliate and/or Associates.
To get involved : Contact Johan Weyers by Email: johanw@cricket.co.za or on Tel: 012 484 1835″
The Differently Abled Cricket Club
The Differently Abled Cricket Club is an open cricket club for the differently abled cricket players, which includes the Blind, Deaf, Intellectually Impaired (SID and MID) and Physically Disabled. We are the only club of this kind in South Africa and we would like to make it our goal in getting other regions to follow suit!
In 2017 the Differently Abled Cricket Club (DACC) adopted the principle of not being ashamed of who we are and hence the name Differently Abled Cricket Club, the club felt it’s time we have our own identity and independence and focus on the awareness of LSEN (Learners with Special Educational Needs) which includes the Blind, Deaf, Intellectually Impaired and Physically Disabled.”
