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by Trevor Vayro
My introduction to Interstate Blind Cricket was at the Brisbane Carnival held in 1956-57. I had joined the Association in November, 1954, two weeks prior to the selection of the Queensland Squad for the Sydney Carnival of that year.
In the year of 1956 I had commenced work and my employer gave me leave of absence for the carnival.Bill McKennariey had been appointed captain of the Queensland team and visiting States were Victoria and New South Wales. Only a single round of matches was played at that carnival with a one day final.
My first match was against Victoria which certainly was an eye opener. Queensland batting first was dismissed for less than sixty runs. Victoria passed our score with the loss of five totally blind batsmen and their top partially players George Jones and Bob Boulter. Queensland batting in their second innings held on to lose about seven or eight wickets for just over fifty runs. This was my first meeting with fine totally blind bowlers Ivan Molloy and the late Charlie Bradley. We used the cane ball in those days and I was dismissed for a duck and one run respectively.
Queensland met New South Wales later that week after the match Victoria versus New South Wales had finished in a draw. Queensland again lost the toss and batting first scored over sixty runs but New South Wales with the loss of five totally blind and three partially batsmen easily passed our score. I had my first bowl in carnival cricket that day and took two wickets. Best players for New South Wales were Barry Ward and Colin Eccles in the partially ranks and Brian Barron Best totally blind player for that team.
The final between Victoria and New South Wales was held over one day with Victoria winning on the first innings. Partially batsmen were allowed eight overs of eight balls each but only the top players retired or scored their thirty runs as the cane ball was most deceptive.
The ball had to be soaked in water prior to each match and when drying out, the ball was often difficult for partially players to see because of its colour against the white cement pitch.
During the carnival Queensland arranged two social functions in the evening with a bus trip and picnic to the Gold Coast. In those days the Gold Coast was a full days trip and always an attraction to visitors and members of our Association. I have some fond memories of my introduction to carnival cricket and still keep in contact with my good friend Ivan Molloy when in Melbourne.
Ivan and hiswife Lorraine live in Mornington. This was also Colin Eccles first carnival match and he was a very fine player for many years with New South Wales. On completion of the Brisbane Carnival, I know as a young player I looked forward eagerly to the Hobart Carnival to be held two years away.