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

2. 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

3. 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!

4. Expected Benefits

5. 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

6. Possible Issues

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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?

10. 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

11. 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)

12. BYCL Committee Recommendations
TBA