Nathaniel Gerrard Foy (born 1981) is a Welsh blind cricketer in the B1 category.[1] He has been one of the iconic members of the England national blind cricket team since 2000 as he is regarded as one of the most experienced blind cricketers to play for the national blind cricket team.[2] He is a prolific run-scorer for England in blind cricket, aggregating more than 3500 runs. Foy also holds the world record for being the leading runscorer in 40-overs blind cricket matches and was considered a better batsman during his early career.[3] Nathan Foy is often considered a father figure for the younger generation of blind cricket. He is also well known for his ability to convert centuries into double centuries, his ability to construct patient innings, as well as for his accuracy in fielding.[4] He is also the current member of the Warwickshire Visually Impaired cricket team.[5][6]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Nathaniel Gerrard Foy |
| Born | Cardiff, Wales |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Bowling | Right-arm leg spin |
Career
editFoy was selected to the England blind cricket team for the 2002 Blind Cricket World Cup. In his maiden Blind Cricket World Cup tournament, he blasted 510 runs in only six matches including 2 double centuries.[7] He played memorable innings of 152 in England's dramatic victory over India at the 2002 Blind Cricket World Cup, which is also England's only victory against India in blind cricket.[8] In a match against Pakistan, Nathan Foy slammed 232 off just 125 balls which is also his career-best score in blind cricket.[9] Despite his heroics with the bat, the English blind cricket team didn't to qualify for the semifinals of the tournament.
In 2010, he released himself from the England cricket team as he planned to spend some time with his family members.[10] He also made a comeback to the national team during the 2014 Blind Cricket World Cup.[11]
He was also the part of the national team at the 2017 Blind T20 World Cup.[6][12]
Controversy
editIn the 2008 Blind Ashes Test Series, Nathan Foy was accused of having unfair advantage in the field as he was regarded as totally blind cricketer who is classified under B1 category.[13] The Australian cricketers stated that the blind cricketer had a much better eyesight as he paved the way in England's triumph against Australia in the 3 match test series with his double century in England's first innings total and with his extraordinary fielding efforts in the field.[14][15] Nathan eventually created few clean direct hits with his accuracy in the field which created a huge confusion for the Australian blind cricketers.[16] It was later revealed that the B1 category cricketers would find difficulties in the field especially when they try to make direct hit opportunities in the field.[17]
References
edit- ^ "Nathan Foy | Pakistan Cricket Board(PCB) Official Website". www.pcb.com.pk. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ "Blind Cricket Nathan Foy Batting". www.blindcricket.org.uk. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ Dewey, Philip (14 January 2017). "Blind cricketer from Wales will be heading to world cup with England". walesonline. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ Reporter, K.R. Nayar, Senior (2 April 2010). "Blind cricketer hopes to score third double century in Sharjah". GulfNews. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Warwickshire Visually Impaired Cricket Team - The Squad". www.warwickshireccvi.co.uk. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ a b "Five Bears in England Visually Impaired World Cup squad - Warwickshire County Cricket Club". Warwickshire County Cricket Club. 13 January 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ "Team England Blind ODI Batting Bowling Stats | Live Cricket Scores | PCB". www.pcb.com.pk. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ "Nathan Foy shuts India Blind out with stellar innings". Cricinfo. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ "Foy stars in England's win". Cricinfo. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ Griffiths, Gareth (14 April 2015). "Cardiff cricketer Nathan Foy set for England Visually Impaired team". walesonline. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ "CRICKET: Head coach impressed with Foy's return to England side". www.rugbyadvertiser.co.uk. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ "England name squad for Blind World Cup". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ "Blind cricket council backs English player - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". ABC News. 17 December 2008. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ Adetunji, Jo (18 December 2008). "Australian blind cricket team accuses English of fielding partially-sighted player". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ "Blind cricketer backed after row". 17 December 2008. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ Jamieson, Alastair (17 December 2008). "Controversy over England blind cricket team's victory over Australia". ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ Moyes, Stephen (17 December 2008). "Whingeing Aussies claim blind England cricket star can see". mirror. Retrieved 18 January 2018.