Cricket is a great game for kids, and they can start learning the game from a young age. However, sometimes it can be hard to get them to focus on a full game, and they might want to try some other activities. If you have a cricket bat and balls, then there are endless activities you can try and lots of ways to put a twist on a traditional game of cricket. Here are some fun things to try next time you’ve got to entertain a crowd.

Here are some ideas that’ll improve their games as they have fun.

1. French cricket

A great way to practice batting and catching skills, French cricket is a quick game that also helps with team building. You simply need to visit a cricket store for a suitable-sized bat and ball. The game has one batsman, who stands with the other kids in a circle around them. Using the bat to shield them below the knees, the other players take it in turns to take the batsman ‘out’, either by hitting them below the knee, or catching a ball that they’ve hit. Whoever gets them out, gets to be a batsman in the next round.

2. Catching

A batsman stands with his legs apart, holding the bat in the middle. Your pitcher has to roll the ball between their legs, and this gives the batsman a good way to practice bat control. You can buy a cricket bat online, and this game can be played with as few as two players, making it ideal for small group activities.

3. Backyard cricket

A simple version of the game that’s great for families, perhaps when the parents come to pick up their kids, and much quicker than a full game. Backyard cricket is loosely based on cricket, but has much more relaxed rules, making it fun for practice. You just need two stumps, about 25 feet apart, and basic cricket gear such as a bat and ball. It’s even possible to play without formal teams, just take it in turns to bat and enjoy it.

Some people who want to play cricket can find it inaccessible at first due to the rules being difficult to learn. Backyard cricket allows people to just get into the game and have some fun. It’s great for encouraging kids to try cricket, and you can slowly introduce more and more rules as they get older.

4. Driving game

The driving game is a simple way to practice all sorts of skills.

• Nominate a batsman
• Four fielders stand around the batsman in a semi-circle
• The pitcher throws the ball to the batsman four times
• The aim is for the batsman to hit the ball to each one of the fielders

If you are starting a cricket team and think some of the kids need help with their skills, then this is an easy way to do so. You can find cricket bats in Australia that are suitable for kids, and you can always use practice balls before switching to leather.

5. Six-a-side cricket

Six-a-side cricket is often the easiest form for kids to play, as games can be completed in less than an hour. With one inning and five overs, it’s easier to score a run, which also gives children a sense of accomplishment.

6. Non-stop cricket

Also known as continuous cricket, this is a fun way for kids to practice their skills. Each team gets a set amount of time for batting, and the batsman runs whether the ball is hit or not. As soon as the batsman is caught out, the next one quickly takes their place, giving it a much faster pace. You can buy cricket bats online that are made in junior sizes, which makes it easier to play these quicker games. They also tend to be a bit lighter, which is safer when playing a fast game.

7. Tug o’war

Split the kids into two teams, with a minimum of three players, and line them up at opposite sides of the playing field. In the middle, you place an object such as a soccer ball, and the aim is for players to push the ball to the other team using accurate throws. Because balls are being thrown around, you might want to find a cricket store online to stock up on safety gear, or choose to use soft balls until the kids’ aims have improved.

8. Caterpillar catch

A classic game used by coaches, caterpillar catch can either be done in a group of six or more or as teams. A set of cones are put out, and players line up behind them, facing their partner, and the first player has one to five balls. They throw one to the player opposite, then sprint along the line, catching the ball as it moves crossways down the line. Because each player repeats this motion, the group looks like a caterpillar moving down the line, and it’s a great way to teach proper catching positions. It’s also a good game for warming up, as it gets kids moving and focused.

9. Cricket rounders

A fun hybrid of cricket and rounders when you want to keep things light, kids love a game of cricket rounders. Basically, you set up a rounders pitch, but use a Kookaburra cricket bat or similar instead of a rounders bat. You can also use a lighter ball if preferred. If you don’t have time for a cricket match, then a game of cricket rounders gets kids active and helps them practice all their skills.

It’s easy to get cricket bats and other accessories online. Simply visit meulemans.com.au for quick delivery across Australia, and a range of cricket gear to suit all players. You’ll find bats in junior sizes, so even younger kids can get in on the action, and by teaching them some of the fun games above, they’ll soon develop an appreciation for cricket.

The days when the Australian cricket team couldn’t muster 20 pullups between the entire squad are well and truly behind us. Over the past decade or two, cricketers have gone from being among the least-fit athletes on the planet to obvious examples of what a professional athlete should look like and how they should perform on the field. Just look at the pace at which Mitchell Starc bowls or the fielding ability of Glenn Maxwell, an athlete who’s just as adept with both bat and ball, as many cricketers are in these exciting times of non-stop cricket.

Fitness has become so integral to cricket in recent times that every man and woman on the field needs to be in top shape whether they prefer to wield the willow or bowl a mean leg spin. Despite their immense talent, ability and formidable desire to win, there are very few professional cricketers leading Shane Warne or David Boon-like lifestyles, as cricket in its many glorious forms has changed and so too have attitudes among players towards fitness.

The unrelenting nature of professional cricket with the IPL luring the crème de la crème of international players to the subcontinent with its massive pay packets is seen by many as having made peak physical fitness essential. However, it’s also worth noting that the shorter formats of the game, most notably T20 cricket, have made cricket a much faster sport and this has increased the need for all players to be in excellent physical condition so that they can play for club and country throughout the year.

Whether your preference is to wield a Gray Nicolls cricket bat or a red or white Kookaburra ball, the following cricket fitness tips will help to improve your fitness, strength and stamina, minimise the risk of injury and keep you on the field for longer. Whether you’re a seasoned player working towards a professional career or a youngster just starting to get serious about cricket, these cricket fitness tips will help you get more from your game.

Stretching and Warming Up

Without proper stretching techniques to help you warm up, you’re putting yourself at risk of injury and that could cut your cricketing career short. Whether batting, bowling or fielding, you need to prepare both your upper and lower body by stretching. Yoga is great for improving flexibility, and there are a number of stretches that you can do to loosen your muscles for both matches and training, of which the following three are among the most important.

• Elbow-Out Rotator Stretch: This stretch loosens the rotator cuff muscles which you will use heavily when bowling or fielding in the outfield. To perform the stretch, stand up straight with your hand placed squarely behind the middle of your back and your elbow pointing out. Complete the stretch by reaching over and gently pulling your elbow forward with your other hand.
• Standing High-Leg Bent Knee Hamstring Stretch: Hamstrings are easily strained, and a nagging hamstring injury could return time and time again to keep you off the field. Stand up straight and place one foot onto a table or surface of a suitable height. While leaning forward with your chest pressed to your knee, keep your leg bent.
• Lying Knee Roll-Over Stretch: Every athlete needs to take care not to injure their lower back (lumbar), with this stretch the best way to loosen up before hitting the field or the nets. Start the stretch by lying flat on your back with your knees bent and then let your knees fall slowly to one side until they touch the floor. Keep your arms outstretched, rotate your knees and let your back and hips rotate simultaneously.

When watching cricket online or on television, take note of how the players keep limber in the field by stretching throughout the match. This helps to keep injuries at bay, including muscle, tendon and ligament damage, muscle spasms and strains, and it also improves performance throughout the match as they have a greater range of movement.

Cardiovascular Fitness

Whether running between the wickets, running up to deliver a swift leg cutter or chasing down the ball to prevent a boundary in the outfield, cardiovascular fitness is extremely important in cricket. While all cricketers will improve their cardiovascular fitness while playing and training, most professional players also work at improving their cardiovascular fitness off the field. Along with running, which is an essential skill in cricket regardless of where one fields, cardiovascular training can also include the following:

• Exercise Bike - While the exercise bike shouldn’t be the only cardiovascular training you engage in, there are many benefits to including it in your exercise regime. It’s a good way to strengthen your legs (by adjusting the resistance) without placing too much pressure on the knees, plus it’s good for HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training).
• Swimming - Sure, there aren’t many applications for swimming skills on the cricket field, but as it’s an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise and it’s also low-impact, swimming is a great way to improve your cardiovascular capacity without extra running which can result in tired legs and leg injuries, most notably knee and ankle injuries.
• Circuits - Combining weights with cardiovascular exercises, circuits is an effective means of improving cardio and strength, keeping in top shape and improving your on-field stamina. There are so many ways to combine the two and by changing your routine regularly you’ll keep yourself involved and prevent yourself from plateauing.

Good cardiovascular fitness is essential for fast-paced 21st Century cricket. All cricketers, whether young amateurs or seasoned professionals, will find that improving their cardiovascular fitness offers many benefits both on and off the field.

Meulemans is a leading cricket store with an impressive product range that includes the latest Gray Nicolls and Kookaburra cricket bats, gloves, balls, protective equipment, and so much more. We hope that you’ve found this article on cricket fitness interesting and that it helps you to get more out of your time spent playing cricket - the game of life.

The cricket season is almost upon us, with the Australian national cricket team scheduled to go up against Bangladesh on Sunday, 27 August. For fans and professional cricketers, alike, there’s plenty to be excited about in the lead-up to this season. But it’s not just the pros who are getting ready for this season’s matches. There are countless more leisure and amateur players who are also in training.

Meulemans has been Australia’s favourite cricket store since our founding in 1963. We’re based in Western Australia, but we supply cricket bats to players across the country. Needless to say, we’re just as excited about this upcoming cricket season as you. With that in mind, we thought we’d share a few indispensable cricket training tips for the pre-season.

It’s Time to Change Up Your Cricket Batting Game

Now that the official season is almost here, odds are good that you’re heading outdoors for your training. This is an important transition, but it also presents a few challenges. Indoor net practice is good for keeping you sharp and in shape, but it also comes up lacking in some ways. In fact, indoor practice can create problems that need to be corrected before the season starts.

As former English cricketer Paul Nixon told All Out Cricket, indoor practice develops tendencies to simply smash balls into the nets and to try hitting every ball for four. That’s an unrealistic goal to begin with. When you move outdoors, it’s better to let the ball come and only try to drive when it’s close to a half-volley.

Here are a few cricket batting drills Nixon recommends to help you get ready for the season:

• Hit the Deck

  – In this drill, you put some cones just back of a length and have someone else give you feeds. Try hitting the ball to the ground, forcing it to strike the ground before the cones and then bounce over them.

• Feet in Treacle

  – For this drill, you stand in batting position with your bat up, and someone feeds you the cricket balls. Keep your feet planted when you hit the ball. This stance forces you to play it late, which will help you sharpen your game.

• Front Dog

  – This drill is designed to train you to get your head over your front fit when batting. This is necessary when making the transition to outdoors, as grass on the pitch creates more friction than indoor turf. Get someone to feed you balls, and practise going forward to hit it under your nose.

The above batting tips will help you make the transition from indoor practice to outdoor play. But while we’re at it, this is also a good time to look into buying new cricket bats. You’ll find a fantastic selection available through our online store. And now, let’s move on to the rest of our pre-season tips.

Start Your Pre-Season Cricket Training Regimen

There are several other ways to get started training for the new cricket season. Every coach and trainer has their own repertoire, but most will likely encourage you to begin by working on the following:

• Identify Your Goals

  What do you hope to accomplish in the coming season? Rather than setting performance goals (such as trying to score a certain number of goals), try aiming for higher-concept achievements, such as playing more confidently or bowling with more accuracy.

• Implement a Plan to Accomplish Those Goals

  Once you have clearly articulated the goals that you have for the upcoming season, create a plan for how to accomplish them. For example, if you’re hoping to improve your in-game concentration, then you’ll need to schedule drills that foster concentration. If your goal is to boost stamina, then you’ll need to start doing endurance training several days per week.

• Make Your Weekly Net More Match Specific

  You can accomplish this by setting specific scenarios in your net. For example, you could have two different batters square off against an imagined field setting for their respective bowlers. If the batter gets an affirmative call, they should run the number of runs they think is appropriate. This teaches them to be accountable for the shots they select.

• Bowlers Should Properly Mark Their Run-up

  When bowlers are training on indoor nets, this is the right time to establish their bowling rhythm in order to ensure that they’re bowling from the right position. See to this now will go a long way in reducing the number of no-balls bowled during the regular season.

• Get Started with Middle Practice

  Middle practice is when the bowler bowls an over against two batters who are located in the middle. Other players should see to fielding at this time. This gives the batters an opportunity to practice picking up singles whilst running between the wickets. Meanwhile, the other players will get practice handling the field under pressure. Generally, each batting pair goes for four overs.

• Step Up Your Fitness Game
  

  In the preseason, it’s time to get started with some cricket-related fitness drills that will help build your endurance for those long sessions at the crease. Focus on interval training, as this is really going to prepare your body for the challenges ahead. Try running a two, followed by a few seconds’ break – and then repeat this about six times. Take a slightly longer break to recoup, and then repeat the cycle.

• Practise Spot Bowling

  Another good pre-season drill for bowlers, spot bowling involves setting up cones to mark the area where a well-bowled ball should land on the striker’s side. Then bowl several overs to see how many times you can get the ball to land in the demarcated area. This helps to build rhythm and establish consistency.

With the season approaching, this is a great time to browse our cricket store online to buy cricket bats and cricket gear. Have a look at our selection, and don’t hesitate to get in touch with us should you have any questions.