A dual genetic condition of ocular albinism and congenital nystagmus means they flicker and are overly sensitive to light.

Mike is legally blind with 49 per cent vision – but most people can’t tell.

“I struggle everyday with what people will think of me,” he said.

“People don’t realise I’m vision impaired – at work, I tilt my head because it slows my nystagmus, and a lot of people go, ‘Are you looking at me?’

“People think its a joke, and say, ‘that’s a cool party trick’.

“But I’ve surrounded myself with a good group of friends and pushed through.

“What I say now, when people are so surprised about my vision impairment, is ‘I get through with confidence of what I’ve done in the past’.”

These days, Mike’s eyes are celebrated as central to his passion in life.

The 25-year-old Albury man will soon play his third game for Australia in blind cricket.

Starting his career for the ACT in 2013, the all-rounder was picked up for the Australian side against South Africa in 2014 and captained a national development squad in a “thrashing” of New Zealand last year.

In January, he will travel to India for the blind cricket world cup.

But Mike’s achievements have cost him.

“What I’ve learned about blind cricket over the years is it’s self-funded,” he said.

“Blind Cricket Australia support us, but we cover our costs for flights and all of gear.

“I was fortunate enough to meet Shane Watson at the Sydney Thunder come-and-meet and we happened to get on to funding.

“He was shocked we don’t really get financial support to represent the country.”

If all goes to plan, this will be the last tour Mike will fork out thousands for.

Blind Cricket Australia is negotiating a partnership with Commonwealth Bank that will see all international tours and training camps fully sponsored for the first time.

But BCA chair Ray Moxley said despite this, major hurdles still stood in Mike’s way.

“He has potential, but the lack of regular competitions for blind cricketers in Albury is a huge disadvantage for him,” he said.

“He can’t regularly play to practise and has to travel to all of his training camps in Brisbane or Sydney.”

A blind cricketer representing Australia can’t play in his own hometown for a number of reasons – a lacking (but growing) link between BCA and regional areas, the costs of accessing facilities, and poor participation.

But Ray believed the players are out there – just put off by the name of the sport.

“I think the region is large enough that there would be enough people to form a blind cricket team,” he said.

“We want to let people know you don’t have to be totally blind, but what’s classified as legally blind, to play cricket.”

In a blind cricket team, players who have no vision whatsoever are actually the minority.

They are called ‘B1’ category players and must be accompanied by at least six others in the B2 and B3 rankings – who have poor-partial and partial sight respectively.

The B3 players, like Mike, can help co-ordinate their comrades on the field.

Not much else differs the Australian blind cricket team from their sighted counterparts.

They bowl underarm and use a plastic ball that rattles, which must bounce at least twice before reaching the batsman.

“It’s a game that isn’t dumbed down to allow people to play it,” Ray said.

“It’s highly competitive and skillful, with bowlers bowling at 100 km/h and players scoring in excess of 10 runs an over.”

“The Australian blind cricket team will be signing autographs at the world cup in India – security will be chasing people away.”

India’s cricket obsession and its 15 million-odd blind population mean there will be roaring crowds at the T20 in January. 

A full stadium is something Mike wishes he could experience on home turf.

“The hardest part for a lot of us guys with vision impairments is we’re highly functioning people, but we’re stigmatized with the label of being disabled,” he said.

“I’m very privileged to meet people who have overcome so much adversity within their lives and get to this level.

“In blind cricket, you can work with somebody who’s come through situations similar to what you have.”

Mike’s fiance, Caitlin Higham, sees everyday what the camaraderie in the team does for her partner.

“He didn’t get into sports before; he didn’t think he was good enough,” she said.

“When he joined the ACT team, he found this sense of belonging.

“When he was named captain, that was the proudest moment for me.”

But Caitlin hasn’t been able to share these moments with Mike – due to the costs, she hasn’t watched him play for Australia yet.

“What’s made me sad throughout my cricket career is I haven’t been able to have support from family and friends,” Mike said.

“If the Commonwealth Bank gets on board, I will then be able to invest some expenses to have Caity come with me.”

More than anything, Mike wants to expand the opportunities he has been afforded to people like him across the region.

“I know for a fact there are younger people around who would fit the bill, but don’t get involved,” he said.

“I had a conversation with BCA about having a national training camp in Albury.

“If we get support from council to do something like that, or from a local organisation, we could get access to facilities or arrange accommodation for the squad.

“That might turn into a come-and-try day for people within the community who have vision loss.”

Whether or not that happens, Mike won’t be leaving the pitch.

“Everybody has an outlet – you might like reading books, or riding your bike, or woodwork,” he said.

“I play blind cricket.

“And I’m fortunate enough to play blind cricket for Australia, so I’m going to embrace that opportunity every day of the week.”

If you would like to join Mike on the pitch, or support Blind Cricket Australia, email michael.hamilton@blindcricket.org.au.

- The Border Mail