0:00:05 > 0:00:09This is Blue Peter. But mini.
0:00:09 > 0:00:10Expect epic adventures,
0:00:10 > 0:00:12makes, bakes,
0:00:12 > 0:00:14badges, pets,
0:00:14 > 0:00:15presenters and your post.
0:00:15 > 0:00:20We've only got five minutes, so get ready for your Blue Peter adventure.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23Welcome to Headingley, one of the country's top cricket grounds.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28But today, I'm not just here for a nice little sit in the sun, oh, no.
0:00:28 > 0:00:29You may remember a couple of years ago,
0:00:29 > 0:00:32Radzi and I took on a bowling challenge.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35And it's safe to say I wasn't particularly great.
0:00:37 > 0:00:38But this is Blue Peter,
0:00:38 > 0:00:41which means we don't do things by halves, oh, no.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43I'm going to step it up a notch and, later on today,
0:00:43 > 0:00:46I'm going to be out on that pitch, giving cricket a go,
0:00:46 > 0:00:48but with a difference.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Meet some of the stars of visually impaired cricket.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55These guys aren't just ace with bat and ball,
0:00:55 > 0:00:58they do it with little or no vision.
0:00:59 > 0:01:00Whoa, they don't mess about.
0:01:01 > 0:01:06But how does it work? Well, I'm meeting coach John to find out.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09So, John, it's great to meet you and it's really exciting to be here.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12How exactly does visually impaired cricket work?
0:01:12 > 0:01:15It's not a lot different from mainstream cricket, really.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17A few little rule changes.
0:01:17 > 0:01:18We have sight categories.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20Everybody's severely visually impaired
0:01:20 > 0:01:23down to totally blind, and we have four different categories.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25So...
0:01:28 > 0:01:31But that high partial is still very severely impaired.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34But we need those people on the outfield to do the fielding,
0:01:34 > 0:01:37otherwise, if everyone was totally blind, it'd be a bit of a struggle.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40- Yeah, so it's a real teamwork sport, isn't it?- It is, yes.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43As you can see behind us, the ball's a size-three football
0:01:43 > 0:01:45filled with ball bearings, so you can hear the ball.
0:01:45 > 0:01:46And it's all about communication.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49I was going to say, there's a lot of chat going on behind us.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52- Yeah, that's key. - So, how can I get involved today?
0:01:52 > 0:01:55Well, we've got what we call simulation specs,
0:01:55 > 0:01:57which replicate various eye conditions,
0:01:57 > 0:01:58so we'll get you in those.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03The simulation specs mean I can experience what it's like
0:02:03 > 0:02:05to be visually impaired.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08The first category I'm trying is B3, or mid partial.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11Even that's quite off-putting.
0:02:11 > 0:02:12I can't see your face properly,
0:02:12 > 0:02:14I've got no peripheral vision at this point.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16OK. Right, I'm ready for the ball.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19- And now you're going to have a ball coming towards you.- Yeah, great!
0:02:19 > 0:02:20- OK?- OK.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23John starts me off with some basic fielding.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25- Yeah?- I'll always tell you when it's coming towards you.- OK.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27- It's coming towards you, John.- Yep.
0:02:27 > 0:02:28Ready.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33- Cool. - What are you doing on Saturday?
0:02:33 > 0:02:35Sign me up!
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Once I'm comfortable with the ball, we move on to batting practice.
0:02:38 > 0:02:39Oh, my gosh!
0:02:41 > 0:02:44That's a good start. That's not bad.
0:02:44 > 0:02:45Boom!
0:02:46 > 0:02:48It's time to step up to the B2 shades,
0:02:48 > 0:02:52which are just one level below totally blind.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54Wow. Already, that's much harder,
0:02:54 > 0:02:57- I'm not going to lie.- OK.
0:02:57 > 0:02:58Whoa! That made me jump!
0:03:00 > 0:03:02- I'll roll it back to John. - Roll it back, yeah.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06This is such a strange sensation.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10But by using the sound of the ball coming towards me,
0:03:10 > 0:03:13I managed to hit a few.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16My hearing and how much I was trying to listen
0:03:16 > 0:03:18went through the roof then
0:03:18 > 0:03:21because you're relying on it so much more when you can't see.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26However, things are about to get harder.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30The final part of my challenge is out on the actual Headingley pitch.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33As home team Yorkshire break for lunch, I'm going
0:03:33 > 0:03:36to be facing six balls from a top bowler.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39And that's not all, I'll be wearing B1 shades,
0:03:39 > 0:03:42meaning I'll have no vision at all.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44This is going to be tough.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47I feel so vulnerable.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49Here we go, ball number one.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54Did I get out?
0:03:54 > 0:03:55Stop it!
0:03:57 > 0:03:58No!
0:03:59 > 0:04:00For real?
0:04:00 > 0:04:02Ball three isn't much better either.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07Kahlil, this is going to go for six, just so you know, mate.
0:04:07 > 0:04:08As well as dealing with no vision,
0:04:08 > 0:04:12I'm also struggling to hear the ball bounce out here on the soft grass.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16I'm not out again? This is becoming a farce.
0:04:16 > 0:04:17- No!- Out!
0:04:17 > 0:04:19- Again?- Again.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21How many times have I been out?
0:04:21 > 0:04:25Pressure's on, I've only been out five times.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27This is it, my final chance.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32I just want to hit one.
0:04:35 > 0:04:36Yes! I hit it!
0:04:37 > 0:04:42Well, it wasn't pretty, but, hey, I hit a ball that I couldn't even see.
0:04:42 > 0:04:43So that's something.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47That has got to be one of the most difficult sports I've ever tried.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50It just goes to show, there's a sport out there for everyone.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53So give VI cricket a go. It's amazing.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55And guess what, you'll be better than me.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59Join in every Thursday on CBBC.