The squat has just been named for Australian blind cricketers to play England in the Blind Ashes. Oscar Stubbs is one of those players to Oscar. Great to meet you. Thanks for your time.

The squat has just been named for Australian blind cricketers to play England in the Blind Ashes. Oscar Stubbs is one of those players to Oscar. Great to meet you. Thanks for your time.

Thanks, mate. Glad to be here.

Thanks, mate. Glad to be here.

Nice to be selected. It's a big event, isn't it? So of course, Covid interrupted things. Eight years since he played in the Blind Ashes.

Nice to be selected. It's a big event, isn't it? So of course, Covid interrupted things. Eight years since he played in the Blind Ashes.

Yeah, it's been a long time since we've played a blind Ashes. Uh, it's a little bit annoying, but, you know, we're we're glad to have it coming up soon and can't wait to get out there and, you know, give it to those those England blokes.

Yeah, it's been a long time since we've played a blind Ashes. Uh, it's a little bit annoying, but, you know, we're we're glad to have it coming up soon and can't wait to get out there and, you know, give it to those those England blokes.

Yeah. It's a pretty tight schedule. You've got, uh, a number of games in, uh, not many days. So you're going to have to be right on your medal. Yeah.

Yeah. It's a pretty tight schedule. You've got, uh, a number of games in, uh, not many days. So you're going to have to be right on your medal. Yeah.

Lucky for us, we've had a pretty good training resume coming up. Uh, uh, can speak for the New South Wales boys. There's about six of us going up there. And, um, we've been, you know, training really hard and going into the gym, going into the, the batting and bowling aspects and the fielding. But yeah, we've been going real hard getting ready to go.

Lucky for us, we've had a pretty good training resume coming up. Uh, uh, can speak for the New South Wales boys. There's about six of us going up there. And, um, we've been, you know, training really hard and going into the gym, going into the, the batting and bowling aspects and the fielding. But yeah, we've been going real hard getting ready to go.

And playing in, uh, Queensland around the Gold Coast.

And playing in, uh, Queensland around the Gold Coast.

Yeah, we'll be up in the Gold Coast. I'm hearing it's getting quite hot but hot out there at the moment. Uh, up at 34, 35 sometimes. So yeah, got to be ready for those, uh, wet and hard conditions.

Yeah, we'll be up in the Gold Coast. I'm hearing it's getting quite hot but hot out there at the moment. Uh, up at 34, 35 sometimes. So yeah, got to be ready for those, uh, wet and hard conditions.

Nice greeting for the Englishman to come out and play in those sort of conditions.

Nice greeting for the Englishman to come out and play in those sort of conditions.

Yeah, I think it'll be tough for them. I know coming from somewhere where it's quite cold normally. Uh, yeah. It'll be, it'll be, it'll be a hard, hard challenge.

Yeah, I think it'll be tough for them. I know coming from somewhere where it's quite cold normally. Uh, yeah. It'll be, it'll be, it'll be a hard, hard challenge.

Oscar said eight years since we played the Blind Ashes there. You weren't playing blind cricket then how'd you get into the game?

Oscar said eight years since we played the Blind Ashes there. You weren't playing blind cricket then how'd you get into the game?

Yeah, so I wasn't playing back then when they played the last Blind Ashes. I think that was 2015. They played down in Adelaide. I was actually still a part of able bodied cricket. At the time. I would have been 15 years old. I, um, had the vision impairment since I was born. It's now called optic neuropathy, so I've had that since I was born. I was playing able bodied cricket, mainstream cricket, till about 16. I heard from a friend about blind cricket. uh, thought. Why not give it a go? I've. I've never heard of it before. Didn't even know we had the head blind cricket available. Uh, went out to my first training session, and within the first month, I was playing in my first NCIC for New South Wales.

Yeah, so I wasn't playing back then when they played the last Blind Ashes. I think that was 2015. They played down in Adelaide. I was actually still a part of able bodied cricket. At the time. I would have been 15 years old. I, um, had the vision impairment since I was born. It's now called optic neuropathy, so I've had that since I was born. I was playing able bodied cricket, mainstream cricket, till about 16. I heard from a friend about blind cricket. uh, thought. Why not give it a go? I've. I've never heard of it before. Didn't even know we had the head blind cricket available. Uh, went out to my first training session, and within the first month, I was playing in my first NCIC for New South Wales.

Well, talk about a couple of performances there in the second. What about that part of it got you 15, 16? Uh, kind of, um, you know, wanted to be cool. Was it a bit of a tough thing to sort of, in a sense, admit that you had a vision impairment or to play blind cricket rather than conventional cricket? You know what I'm saying? Was it a little bit of a, you know, a bit of a, uh, admission that, okay, you know, I'm a little bit different from most other people in a sense.

Well, talk about a couple of performances there in the second. What about that part of it got you 15, 16? Uh, kind of, um, you know, wanted to be cool. Was it a bit of a tough thing to sort of, in a sense, admit that you had a vision impairment or to play blind cricket rather than conventional cricket? You know what I'm saying? Was it a little bit of a, you know, a bit of a, uh, admission that, okay, you know, I'm a little bit different from most other people in a sense.

Yeah. It actually took me a little bit of time to, you know, come to terms with it as well, because I'd made a lot of friends during my time playing mainstream sport. And, you know, it may have been challenging and and it may have been hard, but at the end of the day, being able to come into a sport where I was valued the same as everybody else with the same sort of impairment or different impairment was something that I thought was was really good. And I am so happy with my decision to change from my mainstream sport to my blind sports, because the opportunities that we've been given and the the games and friendships that I've made have been, you know, second to none. And yeah, I would I wouldn't change that decision for the world.

Yeah. It actually took me a little bit of time to, you know, come to terms with it as well, because I'd made a lot of friends during my time playing mainstream sport. And, you know, it may have been challenging and and it may have been hard, but at the end of the day, being able to come into a sport where I was valued the same as everybody else with the same sort of impairment or different impairment was something that I thought was was really good. And I am so happy with my decision to change from my mainstream sport to my blind sports, because the opportunities that we've been given and the the games and friendships that I've made have been, you know, second to none. And yeah, I would I wouldn't change that decision for the world.

Well said. What about adjusting to the actual game itself? You're playing conventional cricket now. Blind cricket. I mean cricket, but a little bit different in terms of technique and the sort of way the game is played.

Well said. What about adjusting to the actual game itself? You're playing conventional cricket now. Blind cricket. I mean cricket, but a little bit different in terms of technique and the sort of way the game is played.

Yeah. It was it was quite funny to, to start, actually. I mean, when I came in and I didn't have anything no idea what blind cricket was, to be honest, I didn't know how the game was played. I didn't know about the ball being different or anything like that. So when I first came in, these, these blokes were bowling underarm at me with a plastic ball bearings inside. And I my first thought is to drive. I mean, everything in your normal cricket is you stand up shots. But for us now, it's you're basically on one knee. Nearly every shot of the game. You get the conventional drive out of some other shots. But yeah, you're always down on one knee trying to play the sweep, reverse chop. So yeah, it took a little while to get used to that, but I think I've finally got the handle on it now. Okay.

Yeah. It was it was quite funny to, to start, actually. I mean, when I came in and I didn't have anything no idea what blind cricket was, to be honest, I didn't know how the game was played. I didn't know about the ball being different or anything like that. So when I first came in, these, these blokes were bowling underarm at me with a plastic ball bearings inside. And I my first thought is to drive. I mean, everything in your normal cricket is you stand up shots. But for us now, it's you're basically on one knee. Nearly every shot of the game. You get the conventional drive out of some other shots. But yeah, you're always down on one knee trying to play the sweep, reverse chop. So yeah, it took a little while to get used to that, but I think I've finally got the handle on it now. Okay.

We'll come to a couple of your rulings, I promise in a second. What about the bowling side of things and the fielding side of things? So is it kind of a bit more comfortable playing blind cricket than conventional cricket, as far as bowling and fielding goes?

We'll come to a couple of your rulings, I promise in a second. What about the bowling side of things and the fielding side of things? So is it kind of a bit more comfortable playing blind cricket than conventional cricket, as far as bowling and fielding goes?

Yeah, 100%. I think when I was playing mainstream cricket, it was it was quite difficult. I mean, I used to be the person that they'd kind of hide in the field, put it fine leg to fine leg, like, the ball's not going to come to you in a catching position very often. But for me now, I kind of get to field wherever I want, really, which is which is really cool. I, I love fielding, I think it's actually my favorite part of the game because you're out there competing with everyone on the team. So being a part of that and being able to, you know, have a say in decisions and, and be a part of the fielding is something that yeah, I love bowling.

Yeah, 100%. I think when I was playing mainstream cricket, it was it was quite difficult. I mean, I used to be the person that they'd kind of hide in the field, put it fine leg to fine leg, like, the ball's not going to come to you in a catching position very often. But for me now, I kind of get to field wherever I want, really, which is which is really cool. I, I love fielding, I think it's actually my favorite part of the game because you're out there competing with everyone on the team. So being a part of that and being able to, you know, have a say in decisions and, and be a part of the fielding is something that yeah, I love bowling.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Bowling. So coming from mainstream cricket I was an opening bowler. So having that change, you know, from bowling overarm to underarm was still still quite weird to this day. Like it just feels so, so, so not normal to what I was used to. But, um, yeah, it was something to get used to. But at the moment it's. Yeah, it's all I know now it's I tend to run in with an underarm action now, and I don't think I've done an overarm action since. So yeah, it's interesting.

Bowling. So coming from mainstream cricket I was an opening bowler. So having that change, you know, from bowling overarm to underarm was still still quite weird to this day. Like it just feels so, so, so not normal to what I was used to. But, um, yeah, it was something to get used to. But at the moment it's. Yeah, it's all I know now it's I tend to run in with an underarm action now, and I don't think I've done an overarm action since. So yeah, it's interesting.

I guess we'll be playing for ten years at a certain way. It is a bit of adjusting to make and trying to feel comfortable doing it the underarm way.

I guess we'll be playing for ten years at a certain way. It is a bit of adjusting to make and trying to feel comfortable doing it the underarm way.

Yeah, for sure. I mean, and then obviously having to try and do that at a high level and compete with other states and other countries in that game, you, you, you want to get to the best level you can in that. So yeah, being able to change from overarm being quite okay at that to then underarm trying to get better is it was yeah challenge but a good one at that.

Yeah, for sure. I mean, and then obviously having to try and do that at a high level and compete with other states and other countries in that game, you, you, you want to get to the best level you can in that. So yeah, being able to change from overarm being quite okay at that to then underarm trying to get better is it was yeah challenge but a good one at that.

Yeah. You are an opening bowler in conventional cricket. What sort of a batsman were you. Were you compared to what sort of batsman you are now? Oscar.

Yeah. You are an opening bowler in conventional cricket. What sort of a batsman were you. Were you compared to what sort of batsman you are now? Oscar.

Yeah, I probably.

Yeah, I probably.

I don't even know if I could have called myself a batsman back then. Whenever the opportunity was there that I didn't have the bat, I definitely took it. I didn't like batting. I it was just a yeah, it was something that I struggled with for quite a long time. But um, I think now. Yeah. Batting in, in blind cricket I'd, I'd bat anywhere. I love I love going out there and batting for my, my team and, you know, getting runs on the board and stuff like that. No better feeling than than going out there and doing something well for your team. So yeah, I love going out there batting, bowling or fielding either way.

I don't even know if I could have called myself a batsman back then. Whenever the opportunity was there that I didn't have the bat, I definitely took it. I didn't like batting. I it was just a yeah, it was something that I struggled with for quite a long time. But um, I think now. Yeah. Batting in, in blind cricket I'd, I'd bat anywhere. I love I love going out there and batting for my, my team and, you know, getting runs on the board and stuff like that. No better feeling than than going out there and doing something well for your team. So yeah, I love going out there batting, bowling or fielding either way.

Matt, tell us about a couple of your favorite innings, particularly for New South Wales.

Matt, tell us about a couple of your favorite innings, particularly for New South Wales.

Yeah. So we've um, I played for New South Wales for a couple of years now. We've won the past five championships. I can't really put a finger on my favourite innings. I think if I had to pick one.

Yeah. So we've um, I played for New South Wales for a couple of years now. We've won the past five championships. I can't really put a finger on my favourite innings. I think if I had to pick one.

Oh come on Oscar. Yes you can, yes you can. No I.

Oh come on Oscar. Yes you can, yes you can. No I.

I yeah I think everyone normally goes for, you know, the, the hundreds or the 50s or anything like that. But I think for me there was one innings in my first NCI season that I played and it was a semi-final against Queensland, and I think it was, it was somewhere up near 30, 35, 36 degrees on the day. And myself and my captain at the time, Lindsay Evans, went out to bat and I think we put on a partnership of none for 235 or something like that. And yeah, that was for one of my first years of playing to be able to do something like that and break a record at the time was something that like was really cool.

I yeah I think everyone normally goes for, you know, the, the hundreds or the 50s or anything like that. But I think for me there was one innings in my first NCI season that I played and it was a semi-final against Queensland, and I think it was, it was somewhere up near 30, 35, 36 degrees on the day. And myself and my captain at the time, Lindsay Evans, went out to bat and I think we put on a partnership of none for 235 or something like that. And yeah, that was for one of my first years of playing to be able to do something like that and break a record at the time was something that like was really cool.

So just just a quiet day at the office?

So just just a quiet day at the office?

No, it was. Yeah, it was I mean, it was. Yeah. It was tough. So tough. But yeah, really cool to do that. And one of my first, uh, first NCIS days.

No, it was. Yeah, it was I mean, it was. Yeah. It was tough. So tough. But yeah, really cool to do that. And one of my first, uh, first NCIS days.

Yeah, we mentioned a pretty compact format. Uh, tell us about it. Uh, it got T20s and, uh, one day internationals, uh, uh, during the series.

Yeah, we mentioned a pretty compact format. Uh, tell us about it. Uh, it got T20s and, uh, one day internationals, uh, uh, during the series.

Yeah. So we got a couple of T20s. Yeah. Sorry. Couple of T20s, couple one dayers. Uh, up there against England where, you know, we have a we don't get to play too many one dayers in our format. I mean I've played for what, seven years now. And the only time I've played a one dayers have got one against New Zealand. Uh, two years ago I think it was now. So to play a 4040 match will be it'll be a very cool experience, but one that I'll definitely, uh, be, uh, be learning in while we're doing it. Because you want to you want to get to the best level that you can early on. It's a.

Yeah. So we got a couple of T20s. Yeah. Sorry. Couple of T20s, couple one dayers. Uh, up there against England where, you know, we have a we don't get to play too many one dayers in our format. I mean I've played for what, seven years now. And the only time I've played a one dayers have got one against New Zealand. Uh, two years ago I think it was now. So to play a 4040 match will be it'll be a very cool experience, but one that I'll definitely, uh, be, uh, be learning in while we're doing it. Because you want to you want to get to the best level that you can early on. It's a.

Great point. I mean, you know, they are kind of different matches, aren't they? I guess different different tempo. And your approach to the game is going to be a bit different as well, because 40 overs, you've got to be out there a bit longer than, uh, a swashbuckling 20 over match.

Great point. I mean, you know, they are kind of different matches, aren't they? I guess different different tempo. And your approach to the game is going to be a bit different as well, because 40 overs, you've got to be out there a bit longer than, uh, a swashbuckling 20 over match.

Yeah, there's definitely a cricket for me. I think it's definitely a it's a mental sport. I mean, you're going to go out there, it's going to be hot, it's going to be a long day. So you really got to get into that mental side and, you know, push hard and get through all the overs. I mean, at the end of the day, if you're an opening batter and you go out there to field and then you go out to the bat, you're not playing just a 40 over game. You're almost playing 80 overs if you stay in there long enough. So yeah, just to put yourself through that grueling conditions and bat for that long will be will be pretty tough. Hopefully we can do that. But um, yeah looking forward to it.

Yeah, there's definitely a cricket for me. I think it's definitely a it's a mental sport. I mean, you're going to go out there, it's going to be hot, it's going to be a long day. So you really got to get into that mental side and, you know, push hard and get through all the overs. I mean, at the end of the day, if you're an opening batter and you go out there to field and then you go out to the bat, you're not playing just a 40 over game. You're almost playing 80 overs if you stay in there long enough. So yeah, just to put yourself through that grueling conditions and bat for that long will be will be pretty tough. Hopefully we can do that. But um, yeah looking forward to it.

Nonetheless, I guess you don't know a lot about the English team or do you?

Nonetheless, I guess you don't know a lot about the English team or do you?

So we played them last year in a one off game up at the International Blind Blind Games over in Birmingham. So we got to play one game against them. I mean, take it as it is. We played the one game I can't remember too much about the boys. All I remember is, you know, getting to meet them afterwards and before and hanging out with them in the village. And, you know, all those guys are really nice blokes and keen to meet up with them again when they come down here. But once we get on the field, it's a different ball game. So once we step over the white line, we'll take it to them.

So we played them last year in a one off game up at the International Blind Blind Games over in Birmingham. So we got to play one game against them. I mean, take it as it is. We played the one game I can't remember too much about the boys. All I remember is, you know, getting to meet them afterwards and before and hanging out with them in the village. And, you know, all those guys are really nice blokes and keen to meet up with them again when they come down here. But once we get on the field, it's a different ball game. So once we step over the white line, we'll take it to them.

There's nothing like beating a not a team of nice blokes, is it? Nothing like it. Oh yeah.

There's nothing like beating a not a team of nice blokes, is it? Nothing like it. Oh yeah.

Yeah, yeah, 100%. 100%. They got the wood over us over there. So, you know, we we really want to get them back when they come down here. So. Yeah, we'll take it to them.

Yeah, yeah, 100%. 100%. They got the wood over us over there. So, you know, we we really want to get them back when they come down here. So. Yeah, we'll take it to them.

Wish you all Oscar love to give a special shout out to Aaron lol I'm not sure if you know Aaron, but I see that he's made the squad for the first time. He's one of the really nice people involved with Will, involved with sport and music and massage therapists. We spoke to Aaron a few times over the years. He's a very decent human being, so, so pleased that Aaron's made the squad for the first time.

Wish you all Oscar love to give a special shout out to Aaron lol I'm not sure if you know Aaron, but I see that he's made the squad for the first time. He's one of the really nice people involved with Will, involved with sport and music and massage therapists. We spoke to Aaron a few times over the years. He's a very decent human being, so, so pleased that Aaron's made the squad for the first time.

Yeah. No, Aaron's. Aaron's a lovely guy. We actually roomed at our last, our last camp that we had and, um. Yeah, funny story about Aaron. Funny story for him. Not so much for me, but we played a New South Wales versus South Australia final for the NCI season a couple of years ago. I think it might have been my second or third one, and we, uh, I went out there to open the batting. I was at the non-striker's end. Uh, Lindsey Evans, who I was speaking about before, hit the ball straight back to the bowler on the second ball. And I've started running thinking it's gone past him. And Aaron ran me out for a diamond duck. So Aaron's definitely got the wood over me when it comes to cricket at the moment. But, um, yeah, he's a lovely bloke and he deserves every opportunity that he has been given to him, so I can't wait to see him bowl when we get over there. And you know he's going to go really well.

Yeah. No, Aaron's. Aaron's a lovely guy. We actually roomed at our last, our last camp that we had and, um. Yeah, funny story about Aaron. Funny story for him. Not so much for me, but we played a New South Wales versus South Australia final for the NCI season a couple of years ago. I think it might have been my second or third one, and we, uh, I went out there to open the batting. I was at the non-striker's end. Uh, Lindsey Evans, who I was speaking about before, hit the ball straight back to the bowler on the second ball. And I've started running thinking it's gone past him. And Aaron ran me out for a diamond duck. So Aaron's definitely got the wood over me when it comes to cricket at the moment. But, um, yeah, he's a lovely bloke and he deserves every opportunity that he has been given to him, so I can't wait to see him bowl when we get over there. And you know he's going to go really well.

He's a lovely bloke. But he didn't call you back.

He's a lovely bloke. But he didn't call you back.

No, no, no, he was happy to get rid of me that day. Don't worry. Luckily, luckily enough we got the win that day. But yeah, he definitely got the win over me and that that.

No, no, no, he was happy to get rid of me that day. Don't worry. Luckily, luckily enough we got the win that day. But yeah, he definitely got the win over me and that that.

Sense was great to catch up with you. Good luck to you and the boys. We'll keep in touch over the next couple of weeks. The 17th of November is when the series gets underway, so we wish you and the rest of the team well. And, uh, and so we'll keep in touch with the scores and keep our listeners across it all.

Sense was great to catch up with you. Good luck to you and the boys. We'll keep in touch over the next couple of weeks. The 17th of November is when the series gets underway, so we wish you and the rest of the team well. And, uh, and so we'll keep in touch with the scores and keep our listeners across it all.

No. Easy.

No. Easy.

Thanks, guys. No, really, really happy to be here.

Thanks, guys. No, really, really happy to be here.

That's, uh, Oscar Stubbs, one of the members of the Australian blind cricket team, as they prepare to play against England for the Blind Ashes.

That's, uh, Oscar Stubbs, one of the members of the Australian blind cricket team, as they prepare to play against England for the Blind Ashes.