A shorter pitch, less players per team and closer boundaries are on the cards for junior cricket in season 2017-18.
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The Ballarat Cricket Association is set to adopt new Cricket Australia junior playing formats, which look set to impact the 13/under competitions.
BCA operations officer Greg Wakeling said if adopted, the major changes to 13/under cricket would include shortening the pitch from 20m to 18m, playing nine per team and having boundaries 45m from the wicket. He said matches might also be played as Twenty20 fixtures, with bowling and batting restrictions to ensure even participation.
Under the new format, bowling would take place from one end all match.
Wakeling said the BCA was in the initial process of gathering all the information it needed to possibly make the changes to 13/under cricket.
“With less fielders, there’s more gaps in the field and the opportunity for the batters to make some runs. And also more opportunity for fielders to actually field the ball,” Wakeling said.
“It’s all about giving the kids a go and making them better so they enjoy the game more.
“The aim is to get as much cricket in as possible within a two-hour period.”
Wakeling also revealed the 13/under competition could be moved from its current Saturday morning timeslot.
It’s all about giving the kids a go and making them better so they enjoy the game more."
- BCA operations officer Greg Wakeling
He said a shift to Friday evenings appeared likely with the motivation mainly to help ease a grounds shortage in junior cricket.
Wakeling said an increase in junior numbers in recent seasons had left the BCA with a battle to find appropriate venues.
He said the Twenty20 junior round – played on a Friday evening before Christmas – had been popular with participants in recent years.
Last season, a total of 19 13/under teams were in action across two divisions of competition. This was an increase on 14 teams and just one division in 2015-16.