JUNIOR CRICKET FORMAT

RECOMMENDATIONS
UNDER 9s - 11s
 Junior Cricket Format Recommendations

CONTENTS

Introduction 3

The Experience 4

Ground Layout and Equipment 5

Formats and supporting rules: 7

Under 9’s
Formats and supporting rules: 8
Under 10’s and under 11’s
Double Zones 9

No Balls, Wides and Free Hits 10

Frequently Asked Questions 11

Formats Overview 12

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 Junior Cricket Format Recommendations

INTRODUCTION
If you’re reading this, it’s fair to assume you’re Now we want to engage leagues, clubs, schools
interested in bringing the joy of cricket to the Success in cricket often comes down to the and counties to adopt the recommendations and
next generation. So, first things first - Thank you! basics. Over the last three years, we’ve been create a fantastic, consistent experience for all
engaged in extensive research into how we can children – regardless of where they live.
We appreciate your efforts and we’re sure the help children (under 9s - 11s) develop the skills
youngsters in your life do too. This handbook is that will stay with them for life, alongside helping
designed to help you create a playing experience them to understand the most important part of
that will increase their enjoyment and put fun at the game: fun.
the heart of the sport.

Our overall aim is to:

This modified game
• Help children to enjoy a great
experience of cricket for their age To achieve this, we’ve made features:
and ability (under 9-11s) a thoroughly-researched
• Help cricket clubs thrive by growing set of recommendations, • Fewer players
and maintaining their junior sections including some important • Shorter pitches
• Give children (and parents) changes to the way the
confidence that they are playing the
game is played. • Smaller boundaries
appropriate formats which will help
them develop their skills and game • Shorter matches
play experience

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 Junior Cricket Format Recommendations

THE EXPERIENCE
A big part of our aim is to ensure children can This is especially key for under 9’s boys and girls – with the formats for under 10’s and 11’s more
continue the progress they’ve been making at geared towards getting them ready for the next step in their development. In both cases we want
the same time as having fun. With that in mind, games to be:
we’ve created match formats that are inclusive
and play to the abilities of the age group. Fewer
players means more action for each participant,
while a smaller playing area and a faster pace of
play allows fielders, bowlers and batters to enjoy
more meaningful moments in each match.

MORE ACTION PACKED

FULL OF OPPORTUNITIES TO
USE KEY SKILLS

MORE INCLUSIVE
MORE FUN

QUICKER

In short, it’s about making cricket vibrant, welcoming and fun – the sort of activity your whole
sporting community will want to get involved in.

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 Junior Cricket Format Recommendations

U9s GROUND SET-UP

EQUIPMENT GROUND SET-UP

To get a game going you’ll need:

• Plastic bats
• Portable stumps
• Measuring tape (to help WK
measure the pitch and striker’s end
30m 30m
boundary)
• Cones, rope or markers (to
show the boundary)
• Depending on the size of
your ground, you’ll have
multiple games set up across
Batting tees mark the
your outfield
crease approx 1.2 metres
from the stumps and act as
15 yards
wide markers

bowler’s end

30m

30m boundary from

striker’s end

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 Junior Cricket Format Recommendations

U10s AND U11s GROUND SET-UP

EQUIPMENT
40m 40m
To get a game going you’ll need:
• Bats (wooden or plastic)
35m 35m
• Portable stumps
(wooden or plastic)
WK
• Measuring tape (to help striker’s end
measure the pitch and Boundary measured from
boundary) striker’s end stumps
• Cones, rope or markers (to
show the boundary) 15.5m
• Tape, paint or chalk (to mark
the crease)
bowler’s end
• If you’re playing with a hard
ball, you’ll need protective
equipment. For more 35m
information, visit: 35m - soft ball
https://www.ecb.co.uk/ 40m - hard ball
40m
concussion-in-cricket/helmets

15.5m

new crease line

pre-existing portable stump
stump holes
usual crease markings

1.22m
20.12m full length cricket pitch

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 Junior Cricket Format Recommendations

FORMATS AND SUPPORTING RULES:

UNDER 9s
BATTING

• The batting team form three pairs. Each pair bats for four overs, with the coaches
doing their bit to ensure players share the strike
• 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
SET UP • Batters swap ends at the end of each over

• Format: Pairs cricket • When a player is given out they swap the strike

• Players: Two teams of six • Batters can be given out in the following ways - bowled, caught, run out, stumped and
hit wicket
• Playing area: A 13.7m (15 yards) pitch,
surrounded by a 30m boundary – all • No Leg Before Wicket (LBW) unless the batter deliberately blocks the ball with their
within the grassy outfield leg or foot

• Game length: The game should last one • Once the four overs are done, the next pair take the field. Once the 12 overs are
innings of 12 overs per team and no complete and all three pairs have batted, the innings is over
longer than two hours
• Equipment: Use a light rubber ball.
For the bats, plastic is fine BOWLING
• 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
• Umpires should encourage players to bowl with a straight arm
• Keep run-ups short to ensure a fast-paced match
• There are only six deliveries per over. No balls and wides are not re-bowled apart from
in the final over

FIELDING
• Rotate the fielders so that everyone gets a feel for the different positions

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 Junior Cricket Format Recommendations

FORMATS AND SUPPORTING RULES:

UNDER 10s AND UNDER 11s

Please Note – the pairs rules described for the BATTING

under 9s can also be applied to both the soft ball
and hard ball options for under 10s and under 11s.
• All batters retire at 25 runs. The last scoring shot counts
Coaches should adapt appropriately to ensure all
children are fully engaged in the game. • Batters have two lives
• If only one batter remains, a retired player can come back in to partner them
• Batters to swap ends following a dismissal. If there is a run out the not out batter
SET UP should face the next delivery
• Batters can be given out in the following ways – bowled, caught, run out, stumped, hit
• Format: Standard cricket, hard ball or wicket and LBW
soft ball
• Players: Two teams of eight
• Playing area: The pitch should be 15.5m BOWLING
(17 yards), set up on the outfield, a grass
wicket or an artificial wicket. Use a 35m • There are only six deliveries per over. No balls and wides are not re-bowled apart from
boundary with a soft ball or 40m with a in the final over
hard ball
• All players must bowl at least two overs (except the wicket keeper in hard ball cricket)
• Game length: The game should last one and no more than four overs
innings of 16 overs per team and no
longer than two hours • Bowlers are limited to a short run up, encouraging a fast-paced game with plenty of
action and minimal down time
• Equipment: Use either a 4¾ ounce
cricket ball or a soft rubber ball. Bats • Umpires are asked to encourage bowling with a straight arm
should be wooden or plastic. Protective • Bowlers are to bowl from the same end for the entire game
equipment should be worn when playing
hard ball cricket – helmet, pads, gloves
and protector
FIELDING
• Rotate the fielders so that everyone gets a feel for the different positions. When using a
hard ball, the wicketkeeper should stay in place for the duration of the innings
• In soft ball cricket, the wicket keeper should be rotated

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 Junior Cricket Format Recommendations

DOUBLE ZONES
Double zones can be used to encourage flair,
by trying new and different shots and speeding
up scoring. This is how they work:
• By playing strokes into the area behind the
bowler’s end stumps, batters can get twice as
many runs.
• To make things more tempting, only two
fielders can position themselves in the double
zone before the ball is bowled.
Fielders are not
• Double zones are a fun way to reward batters. allowed within 10
But we don’t want to punish fielders – runs metres of the bat until
scored from overthrows aren’t doubled. after the ball is hit
13.7m stump (excluding the
• You might also choose to spice things up in to stump wicketkeeper and slips)
other ways. For example, making the last ball
of every over worth double – no matter where
it’s hit.

DOUBLE ZONE
All runs scored off the bat in this area are worth
double. N.B. Overthrows are not doubled

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 Junior Cricket Format Recommendations

NO BALLS, WIDES AND FREE HITS

NO BALLS AND WIDES

No balls should be called if:

• The ball bounces over head height
when the batter is in their normal batting
stance (bouncer)
• The ball reaches the batter above waist
height without bouncing (beamer)
• The bowler oversteps the crease
A wide is called if the ball goes either side of the
wide markers at the batter’s crease.

If the batter manages to hit it, the ball doesn’t

count as wide. Players should be encouraged to
only swing at wide deliveries if they feel they can
score more than two runs – improving their
judgment as well as their technique.

No balls and wides add two runs to the batting

team’s score, but do not result in extra deliveries.
Extra deliveries are only re-bowled during the
final over of each innings.

FREE HITS

There are no free hits in pairs cricket regardless

of age group.

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 Junior Cricket Format Recommendations

FAQs
WHEN DO THE JUNIOR FORMATS NEED TO BE WHY 6 PLAYERS AT UNDER 9s? HOW DO I KNOW WHICH BATTERS HAVE ONE
IMPLEMENTED BY? OR TWO LIVES LEFT?
By having 6 players per team it allows children to
For the 2019 season. have the best experience possible. Players have Before the game, agree with the opposition,
more contact points during the game and are umpires and scorers what signal will be used to
WHAT’S THE RIGHT BAT SIZE? more actively involved. indicate when a batter has lost their first life.

A big bat can look cool and, naturally, you’d think HOW SHOULD COACHES ENSURE BATTERS IF A BATTER HAS RETIRED AT 25, DO THEY
with a bigger face it’d be easier to make a clean SHARE THE STRIKE IN PAIRS CRICKET? STILL HAVE TWO LIVES?
connection, but it’s important to think about
weight. If its too heavy, a big bat could have a To encourage a fair share of the strike coaches Retired batters can continue their innings if only
negative impact on technical development and should consider rotating the strike after one batter remains, however when they are next
the players enjoyment of the game. Make sure three balls. out they are out.
players are able to swing freely using only their
top hand. In terms of length, it should come up to IS THERE LBW IN UNDER 9s CRICKET? CAN A BATTER SCORE MORE THAN 25?
just below their hip.
No, unless the batter deliberately blocks the ball Yes, for example if a batter were on 24 and scored
BAT SIZE 2 3 4 5 with their leg or foot from hitting the wicket. a six, they would retire on 30.

PLAYER HEIGHT 1.29- 1.38- 1.45- 1.51- WHY ARE THERE TWO DIFFERENT OPTIONS HOW DO I DOWNLOAD THE PLAY-CRICKET
(M) 1.37 1.44 1.50 1.60 FOR TYPE OF CRICKET FOR U10s AND U11s E.G. SCORER APP?
PAIRS CRICKET?
WHAT ABOUT HELMETS AND Go to http://www.play-cricket.com/updates.
HEAD PROTECTORS? Offering flexibly in the formats of cricket children
can play helps them progress at their own pace WHAT SCORE DOES A TEAM START WITH IN
We recommend that batters and wicket keepers and play in games which are best suited to their PAIRS CRICKET?
wear head protectors during matches and age and ability. This allows coaches and clubs to
be flexible to choose the type of game that suits If doesn’t matter, ‘0’ or ‘200’ are common starting
practice sessions.
the development of all children involved. scores. Runs are never deducted, only added.
If you’re responsible for young players, make sure
WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN IN THE LAST OVER OF WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS?
this guidance is followed and remember –
protection should be worn even if parents say A PAIRS GAME, IN RELATION TO NO BALLS AND
Check the weather before the game and play as
otherwise. WIDES?
much of the game as you can ensuring it’s fair for
Two runs will be awarded to the batting team for both teams. Use the following as a guide for what
You can find more information here:
each wide ball and no-ball bowled, but no extra constitutes a game:
https://www.ecb.co.uk/concussion-in-cricket/
helmets ball will be allocated, except in the final over of
• Under 9s: six overs per team
each innings when, in addition to the two runs, an
extra ball will be bowled. • Under 10s and under 11s: eight overs per team

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 Junior Cricket Format Recommendations

FORMATS OVERVIEW

U9s SOFT BALL* U11s SOFT BALL* U11s HARDBALL*

6 8 8
Players Players Players

12 16 16
Overs Overs Overs

30m 35m 40m

Max. boundary Max. boundary Max. boundary

15 Yards 17 Yards 17 Yards

(13.7m) Pitch length (15.5m) Pitch length (15.5m) Pitch length

* Age / Ability Appropriate * Age / Ability Appropriate * Age / Ability Appropriate

Go to www.play-cricket.com/updates to download Play-Cricket Scorer and digitally score junior matches for free

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