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New Zealand

John Puhara (Auckland); John (49) lives in Auckland. John has been involved in blind Cricket since 1987. He helped to set up the New Zealand Blind Cricket Association, for which he currently holds the position of President. John considers himself a bowler and is a Partially Blind or B2 player. John has the unique distinction of having played for New Zealand in all three player categories, due to his sight deteriorating. John also played in the inaugural Test Series against Australia in 1996. John was involved in athletics at an international level in his younger days and still enjoys long distance running. He now considers himself the 'Old Man' of Blind Cricket. John is employed as a Dark Room Technician at Auckland Hospital. John's eye condition is Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Stanley Ruri (Auckland), Captain; Stan (21) lives in Auckland, and will be captaining the team. He has been playing for two years and this is the first time that he is part of the New Zealand team. Stan considers himself an "All Rounder" and plays as a Partially Sighted or B3 player. Stan's eye condition is Congenital Cataract. He enjoys music, plays the guitar and loves the outdoors. Stan is currently a part-time Assistant Tutor in Cultural Studies at Pakuranga College.

James Dunn (Waikato/Auckland); James (21) lives in Paeroa, but is currently studying in Auckland. James has been playing since 1994 and has played in two National Tournaments. This is the first time that James is representing his country. The 21-year-old considers himself a batsman and useful fielder. He is a Partially sighted or B3 player and has Retinitis Pigmentosa as his eye condition. In the past he has also represented Paeroa in rugby. He is currently studying Sport and Recreation at Polytech and would like to move into the area of Sports Coaching. James enjoys swimming, rugby cricket and many other sports.

Jason Griffiths (Auckland); Jason (26) lives in Auckland. Jason has played Blind Cricket since its main introduction in 1987. Jason also has the distinction of having been part of every New Zealand team so far. Jason considers himself a batsman and part time bowler. Jason has also been involved in competitive athletics and has swum at Paralympic level. Jason plays as a Totally Blind or B1 player and has essentially been blind all his life. Jason is one of six current players who played in the inaugural Trans-Tasman Blind Cricket Test Series in February 1996. Jason works as a Massage Therapist.

Charles Tauhore (Auckland); Charles (21) lives in Auckland. Charles has participated in Blind Cricket for the past eight years, and has missed only one national tournament. This is the second time that Charles has made it to the New Zealand team. He had previously been selected in the Inaugural Test Series against Australia in 1996. Charles considers himself an all-rounder in cricket. He also enjoys music and plays the keyboards. He is currently studying for a Certificate in Computers and would like to move into Management. Charles is a Partially blind or B2 player and has Retinitis Pigmentosa as his eye condition.

Anthony Horvath (Auckland); Anthony (20) lives in Auckland. Anthony has played in four national tournaments and has made it to the New Zealand squad twice. Anthony played in the inaugural Trans Tasman Blind Cricket Test Series against Australian 1996. Anthony has competed at a national level in both swimming and athletics. He enjoys music, drama and general sport. Anthony has been blind since birth and plays as a Totally Blind or B1 player. He is employed as a taxi dispatcher.

Josh McCaskill (Auckland); Josh (20) lives in Auckland. He has been playing for five years and has attended three national tournaments. Josh considers himself a batsman and plays as a Partially Sighted or B3 player. His eye condition is Congenital Cataract. Josh also enjoys music and plays the guitar in a band. He is currently studying for a Certificate in Business Computers.

Gary Williamson (Waikato), Vice-captain; Gary (37) is currently living in Auckland, but is from the Waikato. Gary has been playing for seven years and played in the inaugural Trans Tasman Test Series against Australia in 1996. Gary considers himself a batsman/bowler and plays as a Partially Blind or B2 player. His eye condition is Retinitis Pigmentosa. He enjoys rugby and many other sports. Gary was formerly an electrician and now works as a Library Assistant.

Ben Fellows (Waikato); Ben (19) lives in Hamilton. The youngest member of the squad, Ben, who sees his strength as that of a bowler, has played Blind Cricket for the past seven years, and in January this year represented Waikato at national level. Ben represented New Zealand at the Pan Pacific Games in Sydney in 1991, gaining three Bronze medals for running and Cane Ball. These days, along with cricket, he plays league Ten Pin Bowling, and takes a keen interest in motor sport. A Foundation for the Blind member for most of his life, Ben is a partially sighted or B3 player. He currently works as a sales person at The Warehouse in Te Rapa.

Carey Hammond (Rotorua); Carey (35) lives in Rotorua. He has been playing Blind Cricket since its introduction in 1987. He has attended all seven national tournaments and has been selected in all New Zealand squads. Carey considers himself a batsman and fielder and an occasional bowler. Carey competed in athletics at national level in the late 1980s. Carey lost his sight in an accident in 1978 and plays as a Totally Blind or B1 player. He is employed as a Telephone operator.

Kevin Murray (Christchurch); Kevin (38) lives in Christchurch. Kevin has been playing Blind Cricket for 16 years and made his debut in the 1982/83 season in Melbourne, Australia. Kevin considers himself a batsman and part-time bowler. Kevin is a Totally blind or B1 player. He lost his sight in a car accident in 1982. This is Kevin's first selection for New Zealand. Kevin is self employed and has a Bachelor in Business from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Kevin is a keen golfer and had a handicap of four before he lost his sight. He is currently the Secretary/Treasurer of the New Zealand Blind Cricket Association and is a Master of a Masonic Lodge.

Mac Tahapeehi (Christchurch); Mac (34) lives in Christchurch. He has been playing for two years and this is his first selection for New Zealand. Mac considers himself a fielder and lower order batsman. He plays as a Totally Blind or B1 player. Mac lost his sight at 13 due to Detached Retinas. He is a keen family man with six children and enjoys, music, dancing, tandem cycling,walking on the beach, and martial arts like Brazilian Jujitsu and Kick Boxing.

Dennis Wells (Christchurch); Dennis (34) lives in Christchurch. Dennis has been involved in Blind Cricket since 1987. He helped set up the New Zealand Blind Cricket Association and is currently its International Delegate. This is Dennis's second selection for New Zealand. Dennis considers himself a bowler and lower order batsman and plays as a Partially Blind or B2 player. His eye condition is Retinitis Pigmentosa. Dennis enjoys most sport, reading and hopes to study to be an Osteopath. He is currently employed as an Equipment Adviser.

Brett Wilson (Aucklander living in Melbourne); Brett (29) lives in Melbourne, Australia, but hails originally from Auckland. Brett has been playing for the past eight years and has been selected for every New Zealand Team except the first one. Brett played in the inaugural Test Series against Australia in 1996. Brett considers himself a batsman, a good fielder and plays as a Partially Sighted or B3 player. Brett moved to Australia about four years ago for a lifestyle change and to develop his cricket. Brett's experience will be invaluable but he will have a lot of adjusting to do as Melbourne still plays the older version of Blind Cricket.

Mike Ingrams (Auckland), Coach; Mike Ingram (27) is sighted. He is from Auckland. He became involved in Blind Cricket because of his neighbour Jason. Mike accompanied a team to Auckland and was soon asked to become an umpire. He umpired in his first National tournament in Hamilton at the beginning of 1998. He also helped Auckland with tactics and strategies that helped Auckland to win at the recent National Tournament. Mike has played both cricket and hockey for the North Island teams and is also interested in chess and many other sport. Mike is a Car Salesman.

Neil Fellows (Hamilton), Manager; Neil is aged 55 and sighted. He lives in Hamilton. Neil became involved in blind cricket through his son Ben, a Foundation for the Blind member. He has been helping out with cricket for the past eight years. Neil is an Immigration Officer, who takes a keen interest in motor sport and Ten Pin Bowling.