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England squad prepares to leave for Blind Cricket World Cup in Pakistan

The Ashes series is not the only thing on cricketers’ minds at the moment. Cricketers from around the world are preparing for the 3rd Blind Cricket World Cup which is supported by UK charity Sightsavers International.

This year the eight competing nations are England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and the West Indies. England have named their 17 man squad for the tournament taking place in Islamabad from the 3rd to the 16th December. The squad includes uncapped Mark Turnham from Warwickshire and sees the return of star players Tim Guttridge and Adam Benjamin who haven't played internationally since the final match of the 2004 Ashes series.

Sightsavers International, which works with local partners to improve the lives of people who are blind in over thirty developing countries,  supports international blind cricket. It sees the sport as an important part of the rehabilitation process as well as challenging misperceptions about people with disabilities. As well as supporting the forthcoming tournament, Sightsavers sponsored members of the England blind cricket team to introduce the sport to the Caribbean in 2002 and in 2004 sponsored the India blind cricket team’s tour of Pakistan.

Peter Ackland, Director of Sightsavers’ Overseas programmes said: ‘At Sightsavers we believe very strongly that the Blind Cricket World Cup can be used to show the world that disability does not mean inability - people who are blind should enjoy equal rights and opportunities within society. International blind cricket is fiercely competitive and fantastic to watch. This is set to be the best Blind Cricket World Cup yet, played by enormously talented individuals, who see themselves as cricketers who are blind rather than blind cricketers.’

International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said: ‘The third Blind Cricket World Cup is an occasion to celebrate the game of cricket, by allowing the world’s leading players to compete against each other and, off the field, by allowing people from different cultures and continents to share their passion for the sport.’

Blind cricket has been played in England for over 40 years. The rules state that all of the players are registered as blind or partially sighted and at least four are totally blind. The ball is filled with beads to allow players to hear it and the stumps are brightly coloured.  Most of the rules are the same as standard cricket. It is one of the few sports played at an international level that allows men and women to compete together.

For more information on Sightsavers’ work overseas or on the Blind Cricket World Cup please contact Ann Noon or James Georgalakis on 01444 446728 or press@sightsavers.org

 

Notes to Editors
Sightsavers International works with local partners in over 30 developing countries to prevent blindness, restore sight and improve life for those who will never see. In addition to the 37 million people who are blind in the world, 161 million people are visually impaired. Since 1950, Sight Savers has restored sight to 5.5 million people and prevented blindness in more than 100 million. www.sightsavers.org

For further information on blind cricket go to: http://www.cricketworld.com/world_blind_cricket_council/


 

Statistics

  • Every 5 seconds one person in our world goes blind
  • The treatments available for the prevention and cure of blindness are among the most successful and cost effective of all health interventions