CRICKET
WHAT LINES TO USE
WHAT IS IS?
Cricket is a social sport with a variety of formats. Games can be played in a host of environments, ranging from 15 minutes to five days.
It's a team sport, but the three key elements - batting, bowling, fielding - rely on individual skills.
Traditionally it's played on a field with 11 players per side but there are now many other ways to play newer, scintillating styles - within sports halls, local parks, playgrounds and, in some cases, cages!
SKILLS GAMES
LET'S PLAY
You can set up a version of Junior Cricket using a PEZ surface. Below are the outline rules but you can view a detailed handbook below.
Format: Pairs cricket
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Playing area: A 13.7m (15 yards) pitch, surrounded by a 30m boundary – all within the outfield •
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Game length: The game should last one innings of 12 overs per team and no longer than two hours
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Equipment: Use a light rubber ball. For the bats, plastic is fine
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Set up the ground using cones and stumps.
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Players: Two teams of six
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Batting
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The batting team form three pairs. Each pair bats for four overs, with the coaches doing their bit to ensure players share the strike
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At this age getting time at the crease isn’t just fun, it’s essential. If a player is given out five runs are added to the fielding teams score but they continue to bat
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Batters swap ends at the end of each over
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When a player is given out they swap the strike • Batters can be given out in the following ways - bowled, caught, run out, stumped and hit wicket
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No Leg Before Wicket (LBW) unless the batter deliberately blocks the ball with their leg or foot
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Once the four overs are done, the next pair take the field. Once the 12 overs are complete and all three pairs have batted, the innings is over
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Bowling
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All six players bowl two overs each, all from the same end. This way, they are never waiting long for a chance to take a wicket
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Umpires should encourage players to bowl with a straight arm
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Keep run-ups short to ensure a fast-paced match
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There are only six deliveries per over. No balls and wides are not re-bowled apart from in the final over
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Rotate the fielders so that everyone gets a feel for the different positions
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All Stars Cricket
All Stars Cricket is the England and Wales Cricket Board’s entry level participation programme, aimed at providing children aged five to eight with a great first experience in cricket.