New to Cricket

Cricket in the Sutherland Shire is thriving through the excellent competitions provided by both the Sutherland Shire Junior Cricket Association and the Sutherland Shire Cricket Association (seniors).

Junior cricket is split into age groups (U8, U10, U12, U14, U16) and played amongst various differing rules to allow all levels of players to participate. The three levels are Mod, Modified and Traditional.

Junior cricket is played on Saturdays throughout the Shire. There are 10 rounds and each match takes 2 Saturday's to complete.

Children can play from age 6 onwards. In U8's, we play a form of Mod 8 Cricket, also called average cricket. The goal of Mod cricket is participation. All players are given an equal opportunity to play.

Mod 8 Cricket has been designed to meet the needs of boys and girls under 8 years that are playing their first year of cricket.

The main aim of Mod 8 Cricket is to make sure that all players are given an equal opportunity to participate in the game irrespective of ability. The good player still gets his/her chance to play a leading role in the game, while the less gifted player also gets his/her chance to get involved.

The teams will not compete for competition points (and no points table will be issued by the Competition Manager) so that young players will get their chance to gain experience for their later years without the intensity that the pressure of competition brings.

Mod 8 Cricket is played on a shorten pitch of 15 metres and play with a soft rebound ball. Everyone bats in pairs that lasts for 6 overs. If they are dismissed, the pair swaps end and continue batting for their 6 overs. If a players loses their wicket, then the team score goes down by 3 runs. No LBW's are given. All players need to bowl a minimum of 3 overs before any child can bowl a fourth. No balls and wides are given, but the players does not need to rebowl the ball.

Mod 10 Cricket is an introduction to the basic skills of the game where the emphasis is on developing all-round skills and the maximum opportunity to participate in all aspects of the game. The winning team is determined on the better of the two teams 'net' score.

Mod 10 Cricket is played in U10D's and lower, but they use a proper cricket ball, wear helmets and play on a 18m pitch. Again, participation is key for these players.

Mod 12 Cricket may be played in U12E's (determined at the start of the year) and is similiar in structure to Mod 10 Cricket.

Our U10A's, B's, C's and all 12's, 14's and 16's play Traditional Cricket. Traditional Cricket is the same as you would see the Australian cricket team play and the game follows the rules set down by the MCC, with minor adjustments to suit the younger cricketers.

The full rules for each age is available here.

The structure is listed below:

Please note, the competition structure is decided at the start of the season and the above is an indication of previous seasons and is subject to change.