BRISBANE, QLD, November 16, 2023 – Cricket, a game of skill, strategy, and precision, has long captured the hearts of sports enthusiasts around the world. However, for individuals with visual impairments, experiencing the thrill of cricket has often been a challenge. Over the past year, Microelectronic Technologies has been working closely with Blind Bats Cricket Club, to design and produce the next innovative technology in the world of cricket: The Beep Ball. This revolutionary adaptation of cricket has transformed the playing field for the visually impaired, fostering inclusivity and promoting the joy of sports for all.

Until now, the international standard cricket ball for visually impaired cricketers has been the Audible Cricket Ball. It is a hard plastic shell with loose ball bearings inside to provide a rattle sound when shaken. However, the obvious limitation is that when the ball is moving in the air at a constant velocity, or stationary in the grass, the audible cricket ball is no longer audible. This makes it difficult for the batter and wicket keeper to track the bowled ball in the air, and the fielders to find the ball in the field when it stops moving. The new beep cricket ball resolves both issues. It is constantly beeping with a clear and distinguishable frequency, when bowled, hit, in the air and when stationary. Between innings or breaks in play, the ball can be easily switched off.

On Sunday the 5th November 2023, Brenton Lang (Managing Director), Craig Turner (Senior Design Engineer) and Paul Williams (Design Engineer) were invited to attend the Moreton Bay BATS v Moreton Bay City Mayor’s XI cricket match. Cricket players involved were Paul Szep (President of Blind Bats), Terry Young MP (Federal Member for Longman) and Ian Healy (Australian former international cricketer). Mr Lang said “It was a privilege to be involved in the event, knowing that MeT’s Beep Ball innovative design has introduced a new era of blind cricket and has improve inclusivity and the quality of cricket for the visually impaired.”

Looking ahead, the future of Beep Ball appears promising, with ongoing efforts to enhance the game’s accessibility and inclusivity. Collaborative initiatives between sports organizations, technology developers, and advocacy groups are crucial in driving the advancement and expansion of the Beep Ball on a global scale.