The most significant modification to junior cricket ever seen in Australia will take place next summer following a successful nationwide pilot program where children played on shorter pitches in smaller teams.
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Cricket Australia (CA) announced on Tuesday that modified junior formats will be rolled out over the next three years, radically altering the way the sport is played for children younger than 14.
Reducing the pitch length decreased the numbers of wides and no balls being delivered during the pilot program. Fifty-three per cent more balls bowled were in play, 13 per cent more balls were being hit, and dot balls decreased by 24 per cent.
Boundaries were also made shorter and each participant had a chance to bat and bowl in every game, while match lengths will be trimmed.
At under-10/11s level each team will have seven players. That increases to nine for the next two age groups before fleshing out to the standard 11 at under-14s.
