Smaller boundaries and shorter Illawarra cricket matches

Australian cricket’s junior formats have been tailored for children aged between 10-13 after last summer’s nationwide pilot – which included shortening the length of the pitch, the boundaries and reducing the number of the fielders – was hailed a success by the 171 clubs that trialled it.

The changes were introduced by Australian cricket (the collaboration of Cricket Australia, its States and Territories) to address the unrealistic expectations that were placed on kids to play under adult regulations.

It included including bowling on full-sized pitches and trying to hit fours or sixes past massive boundaries.

Analysts who studied the results during the 2016-17 pilot noted vast improvements due to the changes.

They observed there were less no balls and wides bowled; more wickets; more fours and sixes and a huge improvement in shot placement.

When junior cricket associations around Australia were presented with the outcomes they agreed to roll out the new formats over the next three-years.

Illawarra is one of many associations around Australia that will adopt the new rules this summer.

Cricket ACT chief executive Cameron French, overseeing the roll out of the new junior formats for Cricket Australia, said the changes, which ensure every child bats and bowls, would allow players the opportunity to develop a greater skill set.

“Developed, tested and trialled over the past three seasons, the formats have been created so there are more balls in play,” French said.

“Wides are no longer the top- scorer in junior cricket and there is more action, more runs, more wickets and a lot more fun. 

“Another advantage is the formats have significantly reduced a game to two to three hours which makes the sport even more appealing for families in a time poor society.”

The formats have been designed for 10-13-year-olds, and one of the first changes is the name for the age groups: under-11s are now known as Stage One; under-13s are Stage Two.

Stage One teams field seven players; play on a 16-metre pitch to cut down on wides and no balls; defend a shorter 40-metre boundary and each player is given a bat and bowl.

Those in Stage Two will play in teams of nine; use an 18-metre pitch and defend a shorter 45-metre boundary. Each player is guaranteed a bat and bowl.

Milo IN2 Cricket: For 5-8-year-olds Milo IN2 Cricket is an introduction to cricket.

Milo T-20 Blast: For 7-12-year-olds, Milo T-20 Blast gives kids their first experience of playing games in a fun & social atmosphere. T-20 Blast centres will run on Saturday mornings between October and February.

Girls T-20 Blast: Competition ill run at Figtree Oval on Friday evenings from October 13 starting at 5.30pm.

Under 11:  Seven a side T20 games on a shortened pitch. All clubs will fielding sides. Competition will start in early October.

Sixers Illawarra Girls Cricket League: Played on Sunday mornings, SIGCL is for girls between 11-16 who want to play with their friends and is an important pathway. Come and Try days will be held October 15 and 22. Competition in Spring League will commence on October 29.

Under 12: Nine a side, with a mixture of games over two days and one-day games. U12B will play one day games only. Competition will start on October 7.

Under 14B Combined: Combining with South Coast, U14B competition will be one day games only. Competition will commence October 7.

Under 14A Combined: Combining with South Coast, U14A competition will be a mixture of One & 2 day games. Competition will commence October 7.

Under 16B Combined: Combining with South Coast, U16B competition will be a mixture of One & 2 day games. Competition will commence October 7.

Under 16A Combined: Combining with South Coast, U16A competition will be a mixture of one and two day games. Competition will commence October 7

Midweek Nines: Midweek Nines will be played November & December. U12, U14 and U17 will be played. Contact your club for more information