The Game
The Victorian Blind Cricket Association (VBCA) is the home of blind cricket in Victoria. Blind cricket was invented in Melbourne in 1922. The world's first sports ground and clubhouse for blind people was developed at Kooyong, Melbourne in 1928 and is still used today as the home of the VBCA.
Inaugural blind cricket match on the world's first sport ground for blind cricketers held at Kooyong in 1928.
The Association now has four clubs and approximately 70 visually impaired and blind members and several volunteers.
The game of blind cricket is a version of the game which has been adapted so that it can be played by blind and partially sighted players. The pitch is made of concrete and measures the same length and width as used in sighted cricket. The boundaries are measured 40 metres in a circle around the pitch and indicated by a white line with orange witches hats at intervals.
The current ball used is made of white plastic with metal washers inside to give the ball an audible sound when bowled or thrown. The previous ball used was made of black nylon tubing woven around a wire frame. Inside this ball were bottle tops and lead weight to give the ball an audible sound when bowled or thrown. The original ball that was used in the first interstate blind cricket match in 1928 was made of cane wicker and it had metal pieces inside that made a noise when thrown.
All bowling is in underarm. When fielding the ball can be returned either underarm or overarm. The bat is the same as used in sighted cricket. The stumps are made of metal and welded together and coloured either orange or yellow.
Modified Rules
The team of 12 comprises partially sighted players and totally blind players. The partially sighted players are further divided into Partially
A and Partially B categories. The game of blind cricket is played double-ended in the same way as sighted cricket. The batsman is permitted a caller
who will stand behind the wicket-keeper and may give the batsman a 'call' as to whether the ball is 'straight', 'off' or 'leg'. All forms of dismissal from sighted
cricket apply except for catching. Partially sighted players who avoid going out when batting are obliged to retire after either scoring 40 runs. Similarly, a totally blind batsman must retire after facing 16 overs. Bowling restrictions also apply to categories of players.
ie. A Partially A bowler may only bowl to a Partially A batsman, A Partially B bowler may bowl at a Partially B or Partially A batsman, and so on.
The pitch has a line marked half way along its length. For a delivery to be legal, it must bounce on both sides of this line.
The complete rules are available in HTML format, or as a Adobe PDF document.
The game in Action
The game of Blind Cricket tends to be noisier than a game of sighted cricket. When bowling, the bowler is required to ask the batsman if he is ready. If the batsman replies in the affirmative, then the bowler must say "play" as he releases the ball. In addition to this, partially blind bowlers will make use of a caller (usually the wicket keeper). The bowler will call out to the caller, who will call back at the bowler. This process repeats until the bowler is satisfied he has his aim correct. To add to all this noise, all umpiring decisions are made verbally in addition to the normal umpiring signals.
Objectives
The VBCA provides an important role in the community by developing and providing opportunities for people who are blind or vision impaired to enjoy the recreational and social benefits of cricket. Additionally, the VBCA participates in cricket matches against sighted opposition in keeping with the philosophy of integration and working to remove barriers and isolating influences of having limited vision.
The ongoing aims and objectives of the VBCA are as follows:
- To further promote the game of Blind Cricket in VictoriaTest
- Provides sport, fitness, and physical recreation opportunities for individuals of all ages who are legally blind
- Aims to improve the physical capabilities and self-confidence of individuals who are blind, visually impaired
VBCA Song
VBCA Song 
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Hearts to hearts and hands to hands
Beneath the blue and white we stand
We'll shout god bless our native land Victoria! Victoria!
Out they come, out they come, out they come to play
Not just for recreation's sake or to pass the time away
Lots of fun, heaps of fun enjoy yourself today
The Victorian boys are hard to beat when they come out to play, so
Join in the chorus Sing it one and all
Join in the chorus The Vic's are on the ball
Good old Victoria They're winners you'll agree
Victoria will be champions Just you wait and see.