A new cricket season always brings plenty of excitement.
Fresh whites, new teammates, Saturday mornings at the ground and another summer of opportunities to improve.
But after several months away from regular cricket, it can take young players some time to get their bodies, skills and routines ready for the season ahead.
For parents, the goal should simply be to help your child arrive at the start of the season prepared, confident and excited to play.
Here are a few things worth checking before the first ball is bowled.
Has Their Cricket Training Built Up Gradually?
One of the biggest mistakes young cricketers can make is going from very little cricket to suddenly training several times a week.
This is particularly important for fast bowlers. Bowling places significant demands on a young player's body, and Cricket Australia recommends gradually building bowling frequency and intensity before the season rather than suddenly increasing workloads.
If your child has spent winter playing another sport or hasn't bowled regularly for several months, don't feel as though they need to catch up overnight.
A gradual return to batting, bowling and fielding gives them time to rediscover their rhythm and prepare their body for the demands of matches.
Does Their Equipment Still Fit?
Junior cricketers grow quickly.
The pads that fitted perfectly last summer might suddenly be too small. Their bat may now feel too light, their shoes might be tight and their helmet may need adjusting.
Before the season starts, check:
- bat size and weight
- helmet fit and condition
- pads and gloves
- abdominal protector
- cricket shoes
- training and playing clothes
Bigger isn't necessarily better. Equipment that suits a child's size makes it easier for them to move naturally and develop their skills. The Australian Sports Commission similarly recommends equipment appropriate to a child's age and size rather than oversized adult equipment.
It's also worth checking your competition's current helmet and protective-equipment requirements before the season begins. Cricket Australia strongly recommends compliant helmets and neck protectors for community cricket participants in relevant situations.
Are They Physically Ready?
Cricket can be deceptively demanding.
Batters need to sprint between wickets. Fast bowlers repeatedly produce high-intensity efforts. Fielders may spend hours concentrating before suddenly needing to sprint, dive or throw.
Young players don't need an exhausting fitness program before the season, but some general movement and conditioning can make the transition easier.
Running, jumping, throwing, catching and playing other sports can all help prepare them for cricket.
Are Good Routines Back in Place?
The start of cricket season also means returning to weekend routines.
That includes getting enough sleep, eating before games, packing snacks and water, preparing equipment and arriving at the ground with enough time to warm up properly.
Encourage your child to take some responsibility for these routines.
Rather than packing their cricket bag for them every week, ask them to create their own checklist. Over time, these small habits help young players become more independent.
With cricket extending into warmer months, sun protection and hydration should also be part of the routine. Junior players are at greater risk of heat illness than adults and recommends a more conservative approach to managing young players in hot conditions.
Have You Talked About Their Goals?
Before the season starts, ask your child a simple question:
What would you like to improve this season?
Their answers may surprise you.
Perhaps they want to score more runs. Maybe they want to bowl fewer wides, become a better catcher, make new friends or simply feel more confident.
Try to turn big outcome goals into smaller things they can control.
Instead of:
"I want to score 500 runs."
Try:
"I want to get better at rotating the strike."
Instead of:
"I want to take 20 wickets."
Try:
"I want to bowl more consistently at the stumps."
Process-based goals give young players something productive to focus on regardless of what happens on the scoreboard.
Are They Excited to Play?
This might be the most important question of all.
Cricket seasons can become busy very quickly. There may be club training, matches, representative cricket, private coaching and school cricket all competing for space in the week.
Before adding more sessions, make sure your child is still looking forward to playing.
A young cricketer who is enthusiastic, rested and eager to learn will often get far more from training than one who is exhausted from trying to fit in every possible opportunity.
Ready for Round 1
Preparing for cricket season isn't about squeezing in as much practice as possible.
It's about making sure your child has suitable equipment, has gradually returned to cricket-specific activity, is rebuilding their fundamental skills and is approaching the season with healthy expectations.
Get those things right and they don't need to walk into Round 1 as the finished product.
We wish all aspiring young cricketers and their families all the best for the season ahead!
