A message from our Honorary Patron, Richie Benaud
As Patron of the Primary Club of Australia, I am delighted there is to be an Ashes cricket series between blind cricketers from Australia and England over a twelve-day period in December. I was lucky enough to be in England in 2005 when the UK Primary Club celebrated their Jubilee year and, along with 1948 Invincible cricketer Sam Loxton and 500 others at the celebratory dinner at Lord's, to listen to one of the great speeches on cricket and life, delivered by Michael Brace.
Blind cricket has been played for many years in several countries and one of its greatest fans and helpers over the years was Brian Johnston, the outstanding BBC cricket commentator, whose widow Pauline has started the Brian Johnston Trophy for six-a-side blind cricket matches. In the United Kingdom, former Test cricketer Derek Underwood is now Chairman of the Primary Club and cricketers from Test to Club level and part-time players enthusiastically lend support and raise funds.
This tour to Australia is short but it will be competitive. Certainly it will be hospitable and it marks a memorable moment in Australian cricket where Cricket Australia and the Australian Blind Cricket Association have recently signed a memorandum of understanding. Cricket is played worldwide and at various levels. It does no harm to ponder for a moment how much more difficult the game would be for players and spectators without the eyesight to go with it and, at the same time, admire the splendid efforts and sheer enjoyment we witness from everyone.
Richie Benaud
November 2008