“About much more than cricket”

As the World Blind Games comes to Birmingham this summer, John Garbett from Blind Cricket England & Wales highlights the progress of the women’s cricket set-up

After their successful trip to the West Indies in 2018, the UK Women and Girls squad have worked hard since Covid and finally get their chance to shine again
on the world stage, as the International Blind Sports Association games come to Birmingham in August.

It’s been a long road, with many early starts and long trips on cold mornings but the effort and dedication of the players has been fantastic throughout.

The programme has had the continued support of the Primary Club and Johnners Trust and the wonderful surroundings of Lambrook School in Berkshire at which to train.

Preparations are going well for the games, as we will be pitted against Australia and India for the first time in what promises to be a fascinating event.

Fifteen players will soon be chosen with others being on standby but there will continue to be opportunities for all in future as the ECB takes over the main squad and BCEW carry on with the development of female VI cricketers around the country.

While the aim is to lift that world trophy in 2023, our own programme is about much more than cricket, with the chance to make lifelong friends and to improve all round mental and physical health along the way.