Central wins deaf title hands down

“Yes, wait, no… sorry.”

A familiar dialogue in all forms of cricket, but running between the wicket is particularly challenging for deaf cricketers.

And the captain has a tough time of it, too. Imagine trying to grab the attention of fielders when their attention is elsewhere and your only tool is hand signals.

But there were few problems for the combined Wellington-Manawatu Central Districts team at the first national deaf cricket tournament in Upper Hutt this week.

The team yesterday thrashed Canterbury by nine wickets in the final, passing its total of 98 after only 13 of the allotted 50 overs.

Deaf cricket in New Zealand started in 1991 with a match between Central Districts and Canterbury at Blenheim, which has been played every year since.

Auckland entered a team this year to form a national tournament and Central Districts, which has the greatest depth in deaf cricket, fielded a second side.

Batsmen were to the fore at the national tournament this week.

Canterbury’s Ross Fremantle struck 195 against Auckland and 104 against CD A. CD’s Stefan Hall compiled an unbeaten 113, Michael Coronna 93 not out and Dan Lawton 87 in their team’s 338-1 in the opening game against Canterbury.

Lawton looks likely to secure a place in the 20-strong squad for next year’s second Deaf World Cup in South Africa after other knocks of 87 against Auckland and 53no in the final.

New Zealand played the first World Cup in 1995, finishing sixth out of seven teams.

Two years later the Kiwis drew 1-1 with Australia.

New Zealand Deaf Cricket president Tony Kuklinski wants to attract as many new players as possible.

To be eligible, you must have a hearing loss of 55 decibels or more.

Every player has to take their hearing aids off while playing so no one has an advantage.

Anyone interested in playing deaf cricket can fax Tony Kuklinski on 04 564 8707.

Photo caption: HANDS-ON – Deaf cricketers, from left, William Archibald, Aaron Coronna and Michael May, use the deaf sign for clapping to cheer on their team-mates yesterday.