BYCL Charley Cricket Trial Feedback Survey Initial Analysis Andy Bell Oct 2018

Survey Monkey Questionnaire Expected benefits Did the format speed up the game compared to 2017 Pairs cricket? Did the format allow more playable balls to be bowled? Did the format allow more scoring shots to be played? Possible issues Did you have any problems with the format regarding batting? Did you have any problems with the format regarding bowling? Did you have any problems with the format regarding fielding? Did you have any problems with the format regarding scoring or umpiring? Any other feedback

Responses Received 80 responses in total 43 had experience of Under 9s 65% were managers or coaches 45 had experience of Under 11s Division 2 58% were managers or coaches Thanks to all those who gave feedback!

Expected Benefits

Expected Benefits Speed up play (~1/3 noticed an improvement) Slightly more Under 9s than Under 11s NB: 5 more overs for Under 9s than for previous Pairs cricket format Improvement was mostly attributed to 2 bowlers from the same end Improvement was reduced or eliminated due to the complexity of the rules and scorers having to keep up with play Playable balls (~¼ noticed an improvement) NB: there was no change in pitch length for Under 9s Scoring shots (~½ noticed an improvement) More Under 11s than Under 9s Reduced number of close-in fielders was noted as effective Dot-out rule encouraged more attacking batting

Possible Issues

Possible Issues Batting Bowling ~2/3 identified problems Most common issue stated was that not everyone got to bat Bowling ~½ identified problems Dot-out rule gave umpires less flexibility in calling no-balls and wides Inactive bowler forgetting not to field

Possible Issues Fielding Scoring & Umpiring ~1/3 identified problems (slightly more Under 9s than Under 11s) Compulsory slip & boundary fielders were not very involved in the game Inactive bowler forgetting not to field Scoring & Umpiring ~¾ identified problems Complexity of the rules required frequent stoppages for scorer to catch up or clarify Scoring difficulty discouraged parent volunteers

Preliminary Conclusions Pros Most useful benefit was the increase in scoring shots, largely due to less fielders “in the ring” Cons Significantly more complicated than previous formats Preference for a format where all players bat, especially at Under 9s Encouragement for batters to score is complex to regulate and perhaps better left to the coaches?

ECB Recommendations for Primary age cricket Format Under 9s – Pairs Every player bats 3 overs & bowls 2 overs Under 11s – Standard except: Every player bowls at least 2 overs Batters have 2 lives & retire at 25 Last man standing Fewer players Under 9s – teams of 6 (BYCL 2018 was 9 players) Under 11s – teams of 8 (BYCL 2018 was 10 players) Shorter matches (BYCL 2018 was 20 overs) Under 9s – 12 overs Under 11s – 16 to 20 overs

ECB Recommendations (cont.) Shorter pitches (1 yard shorter than current BYCL format) Under 9s – 15 yards Under 11s – 17 yards Smaller boundaries (not currently specified in BYCL) Under 9s – 33 yards Under 11s – 44 yards Double scoring zone beyond bowler’s end Modified equipment Under 9s – Qwik cricket equipment Under 11s – Junior hard ball (soft ball option)

BYCL Committee Recommendations TBA