ECB Proposes International Disability Cricket Teams to Promote Inclusivity

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has proposed a groundbreaking initiative to promote disability cricket globally. In a letter to his counterparts at the BCCI, Cricket Australia, PCB, and CSA, ECB secretary Richard Gould outlined plans to establish two national disability teams: one for visually impaired (blind) and one combined (physically challenged, intellectually challenged, and hearing impaired).

Currently, India has a Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI), but the BCCI does not organize any tournaments independently. Gould's proposal aims to address the lack of structure and support for disability cricket worldwide.

"We propose boards operate two international teams -- a blind XI as a standalone format and then a pan-disability format with squads consisting of deaf, intellectually impaired and physically disabled cricketers," Gould wrote. "We would be keen and willing to host the inaugural pan-disability tournament involving our five nations in 2025."

Gould emphasized the need to prioritize disability cricket, citing the untapped market of 1.3 billion people with disabilities globally. He also acknowledged the lack of coordination and strategy in the sport.

"There are many different codes of disability cricket -- blind, deaf, intellectual impairment and physical disability and there has been widespread lack of co-ordination and strategy that sits across all four," Gould wrote. "This has not been an area of sport we have collectively prioritised and although financial restraints are felt as prevalently now as ever, now is the time for us to come together to turbocharge the disability game."

Ravi Chauhan, the boss of DCCI, will participate in discussions in Sri Lanka, serving as a bridge between his committee and the BCCI. The ICC has expressed support for the initiative, recognizing the importance of member-driven efforts.

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