He started out as blind cricket sceptic, but Steffan Nero has gone on to be the youngest member of the Australian squad for the Blind Cricket Twenty20 World Cup beginning in India later this week.
Steffan lives with low vision after being born with congenital nystagmus, a condition which causes involuntary, rapid and repetitive movement of the eyes and forced him to give up playing traditional cricket.
“I played cricket as a kid, but when I got to about 10 or 11 my vision started to get worse and had to give it up,” Steffan said.
“It was about five years or so that I went without playing and then there was a blind cricket come and try day and a few people encouraged me to give it a go,” he said.
Having been a keen cricketer in his younger days, Steffan was reluctant at first about taking up the sport, but almost instantaneously he fell in love with what the game had to offer.
“At first I was a bit sceptical about playing because it’s a bit different to normal cricket and I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy it as much. As soon as started playing I enjoyed it though.
“A few shots were a bit different, but once I got those I was fine. When I played cricket when I was younger it was something that I really enjoyed and I thought that was gone for ever for me, but as soon as I started playing it all came back to me.”
Blind cricket teams are made up of four totally blind players (B1), three partially blind players (B2) and four partially sighted players (B3). Steffan’s level of vision classes him as B3 player.
The upcoming World Cup will be Steffan’s second time in Australian colours after he was selected in the Australian A side last year. Despite that selection, Steffan didn’t expect to be heading to India.
“The selection for me was completely unexpected. I thought I was still too young and it was a huge surprise when I found out.
“I’m really excited about it though. Everybody knows that cricket is huge in India and I can’t wait to get there and see what type of reception we get and experience it all.”
A batsmen and back-up keeper, Steffan’s main goal for the tournament is to enjoy himself and make the most of the experience.
“Really I just want to do the best I can. Hopefully I can get some runs and maybe get a couple of chances to wicket keep as well.
“The chance to go and play in India isn’t something that happens often so Ire ally just want to enjoy myself and make the most of the opportunity.”