Junior cricket overhaul to transform summer

Australian cricket announced on Tuesday the junior game will be transformed next summer, with children at the start of their cricket journey playing the game on grounds with shorter pitches, smaller boundaries and with less fielders clogging up the field.

Players will progress to playing on the full sized adult's pitch – and with 11 players on the field – after participating in two development stages: the under 10/11s and the under 12/13s.

The new formats will be rolled out over the next three years, and they'll also be phased into under-12/13 representative cricket.

While its advocates maintain the new formats improve skill levels, player engagement and enjoyment, Jarrod Lyons, a junior co-ordinator for the Lavington Panthers in Albury on the NSW-Victoria border, recalled his "scepticism" when his team was included in the nationwide pilot last summer. 

He's aware there'll be parents and coaches around Australia who'll struggle to digest the changes which ensure, for instance, each batter faces a capped number of deliveries; ensures each player bowls; reduces the pitch size to 16 or 18 metres depending on the group's stage and has either seven or nine players on the field.

"There was a few of us who were traditionalists and we didn't want our game watered down," said Lyons. "We didn't know how it was going to pan out.

"We asked plenty of questions before the season started and while I was assured (by Cricket NSW development officer Robbie Mackinlay) a lot of research had gone into it, I couldn't help but to be dubious. I just hoped my kids wouldn't be wasting a season."

A total of 640 teams participated in the trial and Lyons, who managed the 2010 NSW Primary Schools representative team, said he only needed one game to be won over.

"As a result of the shorter pitch we didn't have as many wides and no balls, and our scorecards prove there's more balls in the hitting zone," he said.

"I was frustrated to watch (during 2015-16) a lot of our batsmen padded up and ready to go, but they had to run off the wicket and on to the grass to try and hit the ball.

"The shorter pitch encouraged the bowler to get the ball on the spot more often. We were finding (on the full length pitch) there were lots of wides and no balls in each over because kids struggled to get the ball to the other end, but shortening the distance made it so much easier.

"The shortened pitch meant they got the ball in the right area and, by doing so, they gave the batsman more opportunities to score runs.

"It's a better spectacle because the new system allows more fours and sixes to be hit, and that was reflected at our trophy presentation night because some lads had 300 runs under their belts - as opposed to the days when 10 or 15 might've been the top score (in a game)."

Lyons said children changed their tune after they experienced unprecedented levels of success as a result of the formats.

"We had a boy who said it wasn't 'real cricket' when told he'd face 25 balls," said Lyons. "His attitude changed when he was told to try and score off every ball because with less fielders there'd be more gaps in the field. He made a half century and was very pleased!"

Aaron West, whose son Elijah played in the Junior Formats Pilot for Albury under 12s, admitted he too was a cynic before realising the formats would be a "raging success".

"My concerns were that of a traditionalist," said West. "My view was you jumped in at the deep end and played the "normal" game. However, I saw the quality of cricket change for the better, while the success the players enjoyed increased as well. It bumped up the confidence levels of the kids because they enjoyed success.

"The formats improved (batters) because there was more good balls, while the bowlers found their length and gained their confidence. It has a Big Bash feel to it, the game is so much more dynamic. Parents need to be open-minded and forget the old school thinking about how we played."

Cricket Australia's Belinda Clark, who oversaw the Junior Format Pilots in her role as Senior Manager Team Performance, urged people to at least watch the new formats before criticising them.

"It's one thing to read about the changes on paper, it's another thing to watch it because it's action-packed and exciting," she said.

"Australian cricket has taken a two-and-a-half year journey to reach this stage and a lot of important steps have been taken. Last summer's Junior Formats Pilot was a very important step in the process.

"We've listened to feedback, we've analysed the results and what we're taking on nationally was shaped by those State and Territories Associations and the 640 teams that agreed to help. We're deeply appreciative of their courage to try it, and, just as importantly, their feedback has been wonderful."

New junior formats explained

STAGE 1 (Under 10/11)

Time: 120 mins
Overs per team: Max 20
Pitch Length: 16m
No. of Players: 7
Boundary Maximum: 40m
Ball Size: Modified

STAGE 2 (Under 12/13)

Time: 180 mins
Overs per team: Max 30
Pitch Length: 18m
No. of Players: 9
Boundary Maximum: 45m
Ball Size: 142g 

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