The crack of bat meeting ball … The urgent appeal of“ Howzat?” ringing around the field. A roaring crowd. The sounds many of us have come to associate with cricket.
But when South Africa’ s deaf cricket team take on India in Pretoria, the game will be played to a slightly different soundtrack.
The five-match series, which kicked off in the last week of April, features two T20s and three ODIs and offers a chance to see a highly skilled South African side take on one of the sport’ s strongest nations.
For coach Riaan Cronje, who has led the side since 2018, the series is another important step in growing awareness of deaf cricket.
“ In my experience from the deaf cricketers, there are far less run outs in deaf cricket than in hearing cricket. I just think these deaf guys are very talented in communication through body language, and reading situations,” he explained.
That silent understanding between batters, sharpened through reading movement rather than calling, is one of the sport’ s unique strengths. Cronje also points to the players’ character.
“ The deaf guys are so humble and hardworking and appreciate every moment being given to them,” he said.“ Their communication is very good … they can read my lips from very, very, very far and know exactly what I’ m saying.”
The squad blends experienced campaigners with emerging talent, with Cronje singling out CSA Deaf Cricketer of the Year Heinrich Badenhorst as one to watch. Despite managing a rare bone condition requiring major surgery every few years, Badenhorst has become an inspiration within the group.
“ That’ s the one guy that stands out … a very, very, very talented young player,” Cronje reckoned.
Captain Colin Venter provides further leadership in a side eager to test itself against the visiting Indian team.
Cronje also hopes the series helps challenge misconceptions.
“ Everyone thinks they are different. And they are actually not different. They just can’ t hear. That’ s the only difference there is,” he said.
All the same ICC rules apply in deaf cricket, with players simply relying more heavily on visual communication.
Since taking charge, Cronje has seen the challenges deaf cricket faces, particularly around funding. Cricket SA fund an international series just once every three years. So any additional international opportunities have often depended on support from sponsors and players raising money themselves, making this home series particularly significant.
“ We ' re trying to get an international tournament every year, but unfortunately there’ s not always money for that,” explained Cronje, making special mention of the sponsors that have made this series and several others possible – Geoff Botha at Chemagic and Luke Henry at Syngenta.
Against India, South Africa now have a chance to test themselves against top-class opposition. Also, to put deaf cricket in the spotlight and show that the game, in every essential way, speaks the same language as the mainstream version.
Anyone interested in taking part in deaf cricket can:
Contact Riaan Cronje
riaan @ rimasports. net
34 www. modernathlete. co. za