Low vision no obstacle
by Jack Morgan
A Bunyip cricketer has been taking wickets in division four of the WDCA despite being legally blind.
22-year-old Davis McConnell has always played cricket but began losing his central vision after being diagnosed with Stargardt Disease as a teenager.
The stumps are only visible when standing at the crease for the fast bowler, which means he mostly relies on muscle memory for his deliveries.
“It’s like the opposite of tunnel vision, so I’ve got no central vision and it’s a progressive disease but it’s stabilised since the last three years,” he said.
Despite his 6/60 vision, McConnell has managed to keep his economy to a 3.1 average this season, last game taking an LBW along with three maiden overs.
6/60 vision is the ability to see only at six metres what the normal eye can see at 60 metres.
“When I get to the crease in my delivery stride I can usually see the stumps just, but most batsmen stand in front of their stumps so I usually judge it from where the batsman’s standing,” McConnell said.
Now playing for Bunyip Cricket Club, McConnell usually opens bowling and has played premier and representative cricket in the past.
While he doesn’t usually pick up the bat, McConnell can still make runs if needed. In the 11th spot, he was able to pick up a couple of runs against Ellinbank in round six.
McConnell has tried “blind cricket”, a modified game where players bowl underarms, but it’s different to the regular game he enjoys playing.
“If someone can’t see the ball, the team can’t slow down for you, it’s cricket, you want to win,” he said.
He hopes to continue playing cricket for as long as possible.
“I’ll always play at Bunyip, once I start work I won’t be able to train as frequently as I like but I’ll definitely be trying to play most games.
“It’s like a family at the Bunyip Cricket Club with all the boys,” he said.