Blind cricket match will challenge MSPs to find out what it’s like with sight loss

It’s just not cricket!

Except it is. Visually impaired cricket, played between a team of MSPs and journalists and people with varying degrees of sight loss at Forresters High School today.

The specially arranged indoor match will pitch a number of MSPs and journalists – wearing blindfolds or ‘sim-specs’ that simulate different sight loss conditions – against members, volunteers and staff from sight loss charity RNIB Scotland. The match is being held in partnership with sporting body Cricket Scotland.

Visually impaired cricket, in fact, is played internationally and there is an International Blind Cricket Team.

With visually impaired cricket the ball is larger and filled with ball bearings to provide audible cues. The size allows partially sighted players to see the ball and the contents allow blind players to hear it.

The wicket is also larger and has flashing light bails on top that will make a noise when they fall off and hit the ground. The bowler must shout ‘Play!’ as he/she releases the ball, and totally blind fielders are allowed to take a catch on the bounce.

Anas Sarwar MSP, who is playing, said: “I’m delighted to take part in this cricket match. It will highlight the difficulties which are faced by people who are visually impaired on a daily basis. 

“But I hope it will also help to raise awareness that people with sight loss can still play sports and we should encourage any moves to open up sport to those with a disability.”

Ammar Ashraf, community engagement co-ordinator for Cricket Scotland, said: “Cricket Scotland is keen to encourage participation from people with sensory loss as well as the able-bodied,  and pleased to work with RNIB Scotland to achieve this.

“Year on year we are creating more opportunities for young people with disabilities to enjoy cricket using a collaborative approach that helps with our growth. The next 12 months will see further investment in the game by setting up new disability cricket hubs across the country. These hubs will expand grassroots participation but will also act as a catalyst for a national team.

“We are raising the noise levels for disability cricket and this match with Holyrood MSP’s is just part of a series of events to help with that!”

Picture shows Jamila Shaikh with guide-dog Bubbles. Jamila Shaikh has cone dystrophy which affects her ability to sense colours. She has no central vision and describes her peripheral vision as ‘like looking through dense fog’.