By MELISSA MEEHAN
A LACK of funding could see Tecoma’s Daniel Pritchard forced to withdraw from the Blind Cricket World Cup.
The 19-year-old received news of his selection Sunday night but found that past sponsors had withdrawn interest in supporting the competition.
“The approximate cost of the tour is $3000 and if I can’t find the funds, I’ll have no choice but to pull out of the tournament,” Daniel said.
Blind Cricket Australia is not supported by any mainstream cricketing body.
Players must self-fund in order to attend international competitions.
“It puts a real burden on training if you’re not even sure you can get on the plane,” Daniel said.
The diploma of arts student is looking at alternative ways to raise funds but is having little luck.
“Many organisations aren’t interested in giving the disabled a chance,” he said.
“I’d be happy to work for my keep. Speaking engagements, demonstrations, that sort of thing.”
This will be Daniel’s third tour with the Australian Blind Cricket Team after attending the Blind Ashes and SBI T20 Cricket World Cup for the Blind in 2012.
He sat out of a competition to India and Sri Lanka earlier this year due to eye complications.
The 2014 40/40 Blind Cricket World Cup will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, over 22 November to 9 December.
Players are attending from countries include Bangladesh, England, India, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Australia.
Blind Cricket follows most standard conventions of mainstream Cricket.
All players on each side must have less than 10 per cent of normal vision.
Bowling is delivered underarm and the ball is made of plastic and contains ball bearings.
