Article on deaf cricket ...
written by Mike O'Mahony
During a game in the Birmingham League, a deaf opening batsman is making his debut and keen to make an impression. In the first over, he edges the ball to first slip, but does not move, staring instead straight down the wicket. The fielding team are in congratulatory mode, but are startled by the batsman still at the crease and appeal to the umpire. He cannot make out what really happened and given that the batsman has not moved, gives him the benefit of the doubt.
At the end of the over, the other opening bat walks down the wicket and says "That was some escape. What an almighty edge. Did you not feel anything?"
"Ah yes" was the confident reply "but I didn't hear anyone appealing"
How does the term "deaf cricketer" make you feel? Does it sound all "politically correct"? It would not, if you found yourself bowling at Umesh Valjee, the captain of England's deaf team who will be leading them into battle against the Australians in 2008 in England.
Language is important here, "We are cricketers who are deaf rather than deaf cricketers" says Mike O'Mahony, the vice-captain of the England Cricket Association for the Deaf. "A difference should only make a difference, if it makes a difference". If disability is only relative, is Valjee disabled when playing cricket?
Yes. But this does mean he cannot compete on a level playing field. Deaf cricketers do not play a different game. A trial game in June 2003 at Moseley Cricket Club in Birmingham for the squad to visit Australia for the Deaf Ashes Tour in 2004 were sprinkled with county and minor counties experience. Valjee has found a home at Stanmore cricket club and at 33 was one of the best batsman in the Middlesex County League. He started playing at 15 and was lucky that Joe Hussain, Nasser's father, took an interest in him coaching him at the Ilford Cricket School and allowing him to use the bowling machine for free. Once at Stanmore, it was Mark Stear, then the second team captain, who took him under his wing and became his mentor.
Fellow England player Stefan Pichowski played for Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire at under 19 and under 25 level. He also had the support of some who had the vision to see beyond his disability and focus on his talent. In particular, he singles out Paul Cooper, the former Buckinghamshire wicket-keeper/batsman whose own parents were profoundly deaf as instrumental in guiding his development.
This understanding was also key for Mark Woodman who played for Devon for 11 years. Nick Folland, the former Somerset batsman was his captain at Exmouth and had worked for years with deaf children in schools and could use sign language. Many are not as fortunate and are not getting the support needed to progress.
One in seven people in this country suffer from some kind of hearing loss and the National Deaf Children's Society estimates that there are nearly 35,000 people under 25 in the UK with moderate to profound hearing loss. What often holds the deaf back is not their ability but the ability of the hearing to include and feel comfortable with them. There are lessons to be learned here over how we treat all those that we or society do not consider "normal"
On the cricket field there are difficulties to be faced such as communication (three converging on a skied catch can be interesting!) and of course running between the wickets (also a hazardous activity at the best of times even for hearing teams) Valjee insists he does not have any problems with run-outs (It's just the other guy that does, says O'Mahony)
What about sledging? Can you sledge a deaf batsman? "Sledging does exist in deaf cricket, It just tends to be more subtle yet more expressive" O'Mahony says "A look of contempt, disgust or amusement directed at batsman or bowler with the odd gesture in sign language does the trick" But he admits it can be a bit like Chinese whispers "Sometimes I miss exactly what was said but I take the bait anyway and respond with my own sledging which bears no relation to the original comment!"
Some of the more subtle challenges lie off the field. It can take a little more time and effort to fully integrate a deaf cricketer into a team environment and this may have prevented some players reaching their fullest potential at the highest level. Valjee had trials with Hampshire and Gloucestershire - an experience he fully enjoyed. Although he scored more runs than other batsman at the trials they were given contracts. Valjee is far from a boastful man and his experience may prove that good batman are plentiful at that level but some coaches do not know how to help integrate a deaf player or are worried he will disturb the team dynamics. "The coaches didn't say anything but the body language wasn't very positive towards me" Valjee says. Deaf people are particularly sensitive to body language. "I couldn't really follow the team talks either so you are left on your own". Other leading fellow England deaf players experience similar barriers with their hearing peers.
O'Mahony says that though there are deaf teams competing in hearing leagues in Bradford, Sheffield and London most deaf cricketers need to play in hearing sides to improve "that means competitive league matches in an environment in which their deafness is usually unknown and unrecognised which often results in a very isolating experience."
One day there will be a trailblazer for deaf cricketers, someone who breaks through at international level. Charles McLeod the Australian all-rounder is possibly the only officially deaf Test cricketer, but then that was from 1894 to 1905.
As you would expect from the Australians, they too have produced deaf cricketers of the highest standards.
Chris Ashton, the Australian deaf batsman who dominated the 1994 Ashes, played first grade cricket.
Kym Daley a young quick bowler (whom at one point has been regarded as quick as Brett Lee) has been on the fringes of the New South Wales squad for the last couple of years. And naturally they are even exporting them.
Andrew Watkins the 20 year-old captain of the Australia deaf team was over here in the UK scoring runs for Gosport and Wolverton Town. Andrew's deaf twin, Nick has played for Queensland 'A' side.
Pakistan Deaf cricket had 3 first class players completing against England in the 2006 home series. This all bodes well for the upcoming tour with players of the highest calibre across the globe.
The newly formed England Cricket Association for the Deaf provides a great focus for the future development for the game in this country. With the support of the ECB and Sport England, some funding has been made available for the Ashes Tour to Australia in January/ February 2004, World Cup in India 2005 and the home series against Pakistan in 2006.
But to carry the flag and defeat the old enemy more sponsors are still needed. After all, can you imagine a better experience from a deaf Ashes successful tour with 20 deaf cricketers singing victory songs "We think we sound like Barry White "says O'Mahony "But then again, how would I know?"
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For more information or if you wish to sponsor the team for the Ashes Tour contact the ECAD secretary, Lucy Riding on email at secretaryecad@hotmail.co.uk
Yours in sport
Stefan Pichowski
ECAD Chairman