Central Gauteng Lions’ Blind cricketers host North West Dragons for Diadora Jozi Cup warm-up
Blind players are split into four categories from B1, the least sighted, to B4 who have up to 25% partial sight.
The Central Gauteng Lions (CGL) Blind Cricket team will be calling Voortrekker Park home for their upcoming Diadora Jozi Cup campaign.
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As a warm-up for the much-anticipated competition, CGL hosted North West Dragons in a 40-over inter-provincial match. Blind cricket is played with a ball filled with bearings that helps partially sighted players track the ball which is bowled underhand. Batsman predominantly utilise the sweep shot and wicketkeepers often shout through the stumps to give the less sighted players an audio cue.
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CGL batted first and thanks to an unbelievable inning from Buhle Bhidla they posted a target of 217/9. Bhidla scored 111 not out in 109 balls which featured a glorious six hit off of a rolling delivery. In reply, CGL would need just 21 overs to bowl out the visiting Dragons for 73. Michael da Silva was the pick of the bowlers, taking four wickets in four overs while conceding just seven runs.
The CGL features the majority of the national team that competed at the Blind T20 World Cup in India in December 2002, including Isaac Bhidla.
“Blind cricket is very important in creating that opportunity for these players to showcase their talents in different ways,” says Bhidla, President of Blind Cricket South Africa, captain of the national team, and award-winning administrator.
CGL has been at the forefront of blind cricket, part of the union’s ongoing commitment to growing the sport at all levels.
“We are so lucky to have Mr Jono. He is doing a lot of work too may sure we are promoting blind cricket,” said Bhidla, thanking CGL CEO, Jono Leaf-Wright.
Encouraging the community to support their efforts in upcoming competitions, Bhidla added, “We are creating an inclusive space. Blind people don’t want to be isolated, they want to be part and parcel of the community and here we don’t feel the disability. Everyone can play a hand in helping to grow the sport.”
