CA announces revised junior formats

Reducing the size of playing equipment is just one of the measures to be introduced by Cricket Australia in an effort to increase the enjoyment of junior cricketers around the country.

CA today announced a revised format for junior cricketers, which will include changes to the pitch length, boundary size and the numbers of players in a team, while equipment will also be more appropriately sized for children.

It's hoped the changes will help to more closely replicate the game at the top level and make it more for enjoyable for junior players.

"We are increasingly optimistic that making these improvements to junior formats will allow kids to better develop their skills, experience more success, build greater confidence and be more involved in each game," said CA's Senior Manager of Team Performance and former Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars captain Belinda Clark.

"These changes will mean more kids starting to play cricket and more kids staying in the game for longer.

"Experts from the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (Victoria University) and the Queensland University of Technology, have examined equipment modification, skill development and player participation to improve the cricket experience and retention at grassroots level."

CA says the changes will result in more balls in play, more runs scored, increased fielder activity and increased scoring on the off side.

The option of playing Twenty20 will also be available to encourage more involvement in the game.

"I am confident that these changes are the most important Australian Cricket will make to junior participation," said Cricket Australia's National Talent Manager and former Australia skipper Greg Chappell.

"They will help develop a generation of Australian kids who have basic cricket skills and allow them to really enjoy cricket, setting them up for a lifetime love of our great game."

Seventeen cricket associations have already agreed to take part in the pilot program for the 2016-17 season. More details about the associations involved can be found here

For more information about junior formats, visit community.cricket.com.au/junior-formats

KEY REVISIONS FOR JUNIOR CRICKET IN AUSTRALIA