Cricket Australia wants to encourage kids back into the game.

Teams are smaller and pitches are shorter, in a bid to make the game a bit easier for young kids.

They have found many younger children simply did not have the skill levels for the formal version of the game, reports ABC.

Stage one of the new junior program reduces the number of fielders from 11 to 7, meaning there is more space for a batsman to hit a boundary.

Teams play on a cricket pitch size of 16 metres instead of the traditional 20.1-metre pitch, which has meant a drastic reduction in wides.

Games are shorter, cut from 30 to 20 overs with shorter, 40-metre boundaries, and everyone is given a chance to bat, bowl, field, and wicket-keep every week.

AND nobody gets out.

“The changes provide more appropriate game formats, pitch length and number of players on the field for children at various stages of their development and experience,” said former national captain Belinda Clark, who oversaw the pilot in her role as Cricket Australia’s Senior Manager, Team Performance.

“We found players were more engaged in games played under the pilot’s conditions compared to formats where 11 players are on the field and playing on an adult-length wicket.

But as kids get older and progress through stages two and three of the pathway, they will start to learn more of the techniques required to become good cricketers.

Do your kids enjoy a game of cricket? Have you noticed any rule changes?

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