AUSTRALIAN cricketer Alex Blackwell said any boy or girl in Holbrook DCA who is inspired to play the sport after watching the women’s Ashes series won’t have an excuse to not have a go, thanks to major changes that have been made to the junior game.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Blackwell, regarded as one of the world’s best players and who is starring against England, said the new junior formats - and the rapid growth of girl’s cricket - had provided children with opportunities that weren’t available to previous generations.
The former Australian captain said what had amazed her most about the overhaul that’s aimed to increase each player’s level of participation is they’re “so simple”.
The junior formats have been tailored for young cricketers aged between nine to 12 by reducing the length of the pitch; shortening the boundaries; having less fielders and guaranteeing each player the opportunity to bat and bowl
Australian cricket rolled out the new junior formats for the 2017/18 summer after last year’s nationwide pilot provided data which proved the shorter pitch resulted in more balls in play because bowlers could more easily reach the other end of the pitch, and that meant more wickets were taken per over and more runs were scored per ball.
“It was such a simple shift to make,” Blackwell said.
“It makes sense that the size of the ground, and the length of the pitch, needs to be matched to the size and ability of the people playing the sport.
“I think everyone needs to embrace the roll out of the junior formats because it’s a simple change that has been made after a lot of research.”
- Alex Blackwell
“We’re already finding out these changes have created a much higher quality of game for the parents of the players to watch, but it’s exciting to think boys and girls are not only having a much more enjoyable playing experience, but their skills are developing quicker because the (changes allow children) to bowl at the right length and at a trajectory that enhances the batter’s ability and skill.
“I think everyone needs to embrace the roll out of the junior formats because it’s a simple change that has been made after a lot of research.”
Cricket Australia’s junior formats manager, Harry Tinney, said there had been a tremendous take up of the formats by junior associations around the nation.
“We’ve had 160 associations out of 247 (nationally) adopt stage one of the new junior formats and the feedback is that kids are loving it,” he said.
