British Deputy Consul-General Reception

Pictured above The British Deputy Consul-General Paul Noon with Richie Benaud.

The British Deputy Consul-General Paul Noon hosted both the English and Australian teams last night in Circular Quay as the teams prepare for the 2008 Blind Cricket Ashes Series.

The reception included players from both the English and Australian teams as well as their Coaches and Team Managers. Also in attendance were representatives from the Series' sponsors including the NSW Department Sport, Recreation & Racing, Charterplus, Vision Australia, Cricket NSW, The Primary Club of Australia and many more. For more pictures from the evening refer to this link.

The audience was also privilege to have Richie Benaud, the Patron for the Blind Cricket Ashes Series in attendance. Richie congratulated all players on their selection, and recalled his first experience with Blind Cricket in his playing days, highlighting the long standing tradition of Blind Cricket.

Australian premiere of Blind Heroes

Pictured above the cover of the Blind Heroes Film

The Australian Blind Cricket team enjoyed the Australian premiere of Blind Heroes at Dendy, Circular Quay last Monday night as part of the International Day of People with a Disability celebrations.

The Honorary Paul Lynch MP, Minister for Disability Services officially launched the Don't DIS My ABILITY campaign and the premiere of the Blind Heroes film.

Blind Heroes is a documentary of the Australian Blind Cricket team’s tour of Pakistan as they try to win the 3rd Blind World Cup of Cricket. Produced by Faramarz K-Rahber, an Australian-Iranian film-maker looks at the players’ experiences in Pakistan, their extraordinary personal stories and highly individual reasons for playing blind cricket, but also highlights how it is possible for such a diverse group of men to come together and share the dream of becoming the best blind cricket team in the world.

In attendance were Ambassdors of the Don't DIS My ABILITY campaign including cricket enthusiats Michael Bartels, David Gwilliam, Philip Coster and Tracey Barrell.

ABC cricket commentator Jim Maxwell was host for the evening and at the conclusion of the film Jim interviewed captain Peter Robinson and player Ben Felten along with the producer of Blind Heroes Faramarz K-Rahber.

Join in and celebrate International Day of People with a Disability in NSW through the Don't DIS My ABILITY campaign. Over 150 events are being held throughout December 2008 to celebrate the diversity and ability of people with a disability. For more details refer to http://www.dontdismyability.com.au

Australian team in camp

By all reports the Australian team are on track for a successful Ashes Series. Captain Peter Robinson told guests at last night's official Series reception how grateful the players were for the support of sponsors and their families to ensure they were able to be in camp together in the lead up to this important series.

The players are currently in camp at the Mecure Hotel, Parramatta.

To send a Hero email message to the team email blindashes@blindashes.com or fax to 02 8336 1043.

The Australian team have had a number of practice matches including matches against the NSW Blind Cricket team. Both teams have had practice runs at Barker College, Hornsby and The Kings School, Parramatta.

On behalf of the Blind Cricket Ashes Series organisers, thank you to The Kings School and Barker College and, to all venues involved in the series including Waitara Oval, Howell Oval, Penrith and Bankstown Oval for their support with the Series. 

Richie Benaud at Barker College this Sunday

We are delighted to advise Richie Benaud, Patron for the Blind Cricket Ashes Series has indicated he and his wife Daphne will attend the match this Sunday 14 December at Barker College between 2:30pm and 4:30pm.

This will be the Third day's play between the teams.

Come along and support the teams in what could also be the deciding match of the series.

Download the Key Dates flyer

Refer to this link for the full schedule of games and venues.

Please forward this onto your friends and others who might be interested in attending the matches.

Blind Cricket team on Twitter

We've signed up an Account for the Aussie Blind Cricket team on Twitter.

Twitter is an online website that allows you to stay in touch with friends, supporters and sponsors by updating by the minute latest news and advice from the team. You can also choose to send and receive Twitter updates via mobile texting, instant message, or the web.  http://twitter.com/OzBlindCricket

You can select 'Follow' on our Twitter page and keep up to date on latest team movements.

Latest media coverage

Andrew Daddo will be interviewing Team Manager Graham Coulton tonight on Sydney's ABC 702 AM Evening show.

BBC did a recorded interview today with captain Peter Robinson and player Ben Felten along with English Tour Manager, Martin Dean.

Plus Ben Felten was interviewed on 87.6 KickFM.

Thank you to all Media, including Adam Spencer for their great support of the cricket series.