Home Sports Ball Sports Cricket Cricket for Kids

Cricket for Kids

Kids playing cricket Kids playing cricket

Cricket is an outdoor team sport, usually played in summer, which hails from 16th century Tudor England. Generally played on a large grassy oval with a cricket pitch in the centre, it involves two teams of 11 players each. A version of cricket can also be played indoors called Indoor Cricket.

Each team takes a turn of batting while the other team is bowling and fielding and vice versa. The batting team selects 2 players who attempt to score runs against the bowling team. A run is scored by hitting the ball with the cricket bat, and then running the length of the cricket pitch. This is called a single.

The fielders must catch the ball and throw it back to the wicket keeper or bowler to prevent runs being scored. More runs can be scored by hitting the ball to the edge of the ground.

This is called a boundary, or by running the length of the pitch more than once, otherwise known as a double or triple. Boundaries can be either a four (four runs) if the ball reaches the boundary with a bounce or a six (six runs) if the ball does not bounce before passing over the boundary in the air.

A video of Cricket for Kids

Ricky Ponting takes time out to show you the best grip and eye position and it's all thanks to Kookaburra.

Information on Cricket for Kids in Australia

Is cricket for your kids?

Cricket is a non-contact sport, which makes it fantastic for children, and they can start at a young age (4 years). As a junior sport, cricket can help children:

  • Build confidence within a group
  • Develop hand-eye coordination
  • Learn on teamwork
  • Improve fitness levels
  • Have fun

Get your kids started!

Kanga Cricket, the junior form of cricket, is played by children in grade two or above. Unlike the hard cricket balls used at senior levels, Kanga Cricket Leagues use softer balls and a rotation system so everyone has an opportunity to bat, bowl and field. Most primary schools have a Kanga cricket program, but even if they do not, there are services provided by community and cricket sponsors such as Milo Cricket. Private cricket lessons, cricket coaching and school holiday cricket camps can be found at minimal cost.

Generally, schools and cricket clubs supply equipment, but it is a great idea to give your child their own cricket bat so they can practise with friends on their own. At more competitive levels, equipment and clothing/outfits may need to be purchased, including:

  • Helmet
  • Groin protector (box)
  • Pads (Protect the legs when batting)
  • Cricket balls
  • Cricket shoes
  • Cricket Batting Gloves

Although cricket is a summer activity, indoor cricket can be played all year round.

Parents you can find your local Cricket clubs in the ActiveActivities directory.

Stars and Events not to be missed!

The pinnacle of Australian test cricket is the Ashes series, played every 2 years between Australia and England. Australian players such as Donald Bradman known as "The Don", Dennis Lillee, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist are well known cricketing legends mainly due to their performances during the Ashes.

Other global competitions include the World Cup, which invites teams from around the globe to compete in a 50 over-per-side competition, and the new IPL (Indian Premier League) which attracts players and spectators from around the globe for a 6 week, 20 over-per-side bonanza!

Quick Links
Articles related to your search: