CBC cricketer bowls his way to a milestone

CRICKET has always been in Tim Regan’s life.

It has seen him play in England, India and South Africa, but his latest achievement might just be his greatest.

The CBC Cricket Club player, who is deaf, recently bowled his way to 700 career wickets.

Regan said he started playing cricket in 1989.

“When I was a small boy I used to go with my brother to watch my dad play cricket for Hilton Park,” he said.

“I really enjoyed playing cricket and being a member of a team.

“CBC welcomed me, a friend of my brother took me along but I was very nervous because most were a lot older than me and some were ex-footballers.”

Since then he has played at CBC for 20 years and has also competed at the Deaf Cricket World Cup and the Deaf Ashes.

“It was hard to communicate at first but I was very determined and trained hard,” he said.

“My highlight was playing in the premierships, I always seem to be able to lift myself and play my best cricket in the finals, I have 12 premierships medals.”

He said he had played more than 400 games and was excited when he took his 700th wicket.

“I was thinking about my dad in heaven and how proud he would have been of me,” he said.

“My teammates where very supportive and don’t want me to retire.”

Regan said he hoped young cricketers who are deaf join the sport and feel supported.

“When I first played I was the only deaf cricketer from Western Australia,” he said.

“Cricket builds confidence and is good for fitness and being in a team make a person communicate and not feel isolated.”

Regan said he hopes to play another 500 games.