Virtually since its inception, T20 cricket has been blamed for the woes of the Australian men’s Test team.
Indeed, a steady decline in our Test performance has corresponded with the rise of the shortest format, albeit likely more coincidence than direct link, perhaps until the last couple of years.
The players who are trying to make their way in Test cricket at the moment are the first generation truly brought up on T20, and accordingly, the technical and mental weaknesses we see are often linked to the newest format.
We hear that constant changing between formats is affecting batsmen’s abilities to build a Test innings by confusing their mindset when tough periods of pure survival with minimal scoring are required. Apparently it is also preventing bowlers from learning the art of the long spell, where they set up wickets over a battle of several overs, luring a false stroke after denying a batsman opportunities to score or plugging away at a known weakness until the dam wall bursts.
All of this is likely a negative influence on Test performance, but another factor is not on display at the Gabba, MCG, or even Manuka.
It is best witnessed every Saturday morning on the junior cricket ovals that so beautifully dot the nation’s landscape. The desire to give everyone a go, to keep kids interested in playing cricket and participating, is simply not producing Test cricketers.
Moreover, it is not achieving the desired result.
Here are the examples witnessed in my own local association, which is very well run, and as far as I am aware, is replicating the system employed across the rest of NSW and Australia.
Cricketers at under 14 level are limited to only five overs when bowling. Batsmen must retire on reaching a certain score. Two simple examples, two major issues immediately.
Batsmen are being taught every single week, at quite a senior age in the junior system, that they must simply get to a certain point to achieve the maximum result. Yes, they may return once all other wickets have fallen, but this is generally to have a slog and score a few more runs.
They are not being trained to bat through the tough period when they are already 55 but the runs have dried up. By this stage, they are generally sitting on the sideline.
Bowlers know that they will get five overs at best, and usually less. They are not learning how to bowl long spells with consistent accuracy. It is observed every week that as the end of the allotted overs nears, those who haven’t taken a wicket start trying too hard, losing technique and accuracy, and producing all manner of rubbish.
(AAP Image/Hamish Blair)
What’s more, the batter at the other end knows that even if there is a red-hot bowler in the other side, he or she doesn’t have to face them for an hour on end, or worry about them returning later in the morning. Rather, the batter will have to try to develop their skill against a series of half-trackers, no balls, and gifts that the rest of the team offers.
How does the bowler develop the mindset for a long battle, and learn consistency over a longer period?
How does the batter come to endure tough periods by putting the big shots away?
Sadly but inevitably, we are seeing some of the foibles of this approach start to resonate on the biggest stage.
Go further down the age groups and it becomes quite ghastly. Batters can only face 17 balls, and if they get out, they stay in!
In rugby league, we have seen the outcome of the infamous vest, where the dummy half and first receiver must pass or score a try, rather than be tackled, to prevent a turnover. The goal was to ensure more kids had the opportunity to run the ball. The outcome was a generation or more of halves who struggle with ad-lib football, having little idea how to spot opportunities and capitalise by running at holes.
Rather, their football has become formulaic and often these so-called playmakers began to reach the elite level as nothing more than simply a fit catch-and-pass merchant, as taught to them from under sixes.
While the vests remain at the modified level, we now see the push-back, with the emergence of playmaker academies, and the coaching phrase of ‘eyes-up football’. Shouldn’t all football be ‘eyes up’?
These rules in both sports were designed to encourage participation and produce more talent, lest we lose potential stars who may develop a little later than others, disillusioned by a lack of involvement. Great intentions, to be sure.
Here’s the rub: in cricket, this system is not actually doing what it’s meant to.
As the teen years come on, no amount of batting or bowling as a youngster will keep kids in cricket. The lure of the beach or the shopping centre or the opposite sex or whatever it may be, is strong.
The kids who are more attracted to these things than they are to hot training sessions and sacrificed Saturday mornings are still giving up cricket at 13 or 14.
The fact they got a couple of overs in each game of under 12s is not a factor they weigh up when they decide whether to continue with cricket or hang out at the beach. The memory of getting out twice in their 17 balls in the same season but being allowed to continue batting is similarly irrelevant to the teen mind.
So what are we left with? The kids who have had success and may have made representative teams, and the kids who have not reached this level of success yet, but are determined enough to train hard and obtain these opportunities in the future.
A sprinkling of kids who simply play because their mates are playing complements these groups to form the typical under 16 and under 14 team.
In essence, this is the same group of continuing cricketers into the senior-youth age groups that we had before this system, when kids were learning how to play big innings and bowl long spells.
The talented kids who remain playing reach 14 or 15 having been fed a cricket diet of minimal, limited overs to bowl. They have learned that it doesn’t matter if you get out, as long as you swing hard and maximise your runs, you can have another go. They have been shown that if you last one or two overs against that really good bowler, maybe even by shielding yourself from the strike, you can hit a 50 and retire, and feel like a hero who is going to play Test cricket.
The same applies to the kids who are still physically developing and will emerge as stars at 15, 16 or 17 years of age – they are not being schooled in the mental skills of the longer form at all, and their development is being hampered.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
These lessons are hard to unlearn. We are seeing this in Shield cricket, where we lament the lack of high scores and general quality.
With respect to the shorter formats – of course kids want the opportunity to emulate their heroes, many of whom are hitting multiple sixes in a 20-ball stay wearing black pads or magenta strides. This is available to those running junior cricket, as an exciting element of the overall season.
In my youth, we played two-day games throughout the season, with two ‘special event’one-day matches the last game before the Christmas break, and the first game back after mince pies. These events were marked on the calendar and were something every kid looked forward to.
Like the international players, we were playing ‘all the formats’, and swinging the bat hard and often was encouraged in these fixtures. Occasionally, a new talent emerged in these special event games, when their furious swinging paid dividends in a short stay and it became evident that they could be honed in to something more well-rounded.
More often than not, it simply mixed up our cricket and gave us an opportunity to have more fun doing something different, and feel like our heroes. This was part of an overall development.
If Australia is truly focused on Test success, a complete overhaul of the junior cricket system is required.
The international stage now calls for the development of cricketers who can succeed across three diverse formats, the most prestigious being Tests.
Currently the junior system does little to prepare players for the longer game. We tried something, and we failed. We must abort immediately and change the junior system to start producing more cricketers who are prepared for success in the Test arena.
Matt H
Roar Guru
The question is whether junior cricket's main aim is participation and developing future cricket fans or development of a strong national team. I would argue up to say 13 it should be the former. I would temper this with the fact that at the moment if you are a smaller kid who doesn't smash the ball but have a good technique, you generally get ignored for not scoring quickly enough. Clear that front leg son!
Timmuh
Roar Guru
I'm not involved in junior cricekt, so my comments are based off reading and hearing things from people more knowledgeable than myself. The "mass participation" element seems to be vital. Its no longer a case of playing a football in winter and cricket in summer. If kids don;t get attracted early, they wonlt be retained. As in the article, they won't always be retained anyway. The issue, to me, is that this has been taken too far. At the top end; at least, and ideally for all; there needs to be the opportunity to play longer games without restricted innings and bowling spells. Victoria has apparently moved its entire elite under 18 program to T20. Like it or not, and I don't, T20 has to be part of it these days - but how is anyone supposed to learn the mental side of the game if the entire program is the short burst game? Retaining players is important, these boy and girls will keep suburban and bush clubs alive (and fill the stands). But so is developing well rounded cricketers, it is arguably easier to learn to slog after learning to bat than the other way around. Or to learn to mix it up after learning line, length, subtlety and patience. Its too simple to blame all the problems on T20. Many of these things were put in place, and taken too far, before T20 was on the scene in any real way. It wasn't as noticeable because we had a great generation of players in the Test team (who had come through earlier systems). The mistakes of 10-15 years ago are visible in elite senior cricket now. The mistakes of now, and of the whole T20 era, aren't visible at that level yet.
Head in the Sand
Guest
I couldn't disagree more. I am not sure if the author is involved in cricket administration but the biggest issue that cricket faces is just getting people (kids and adults) participating. Trying to structure local park cricket to make "Test" cricketers means you get no one playing. I have been involved at club and association level and it takes participation (batting and bowling) for people to actually come back season after season. In the district that I have been involved in we have never had more junior players thanks to the Big Bash. It has grown 5 - 10% each year for the last 10 years or so. BUT this has been nearly entirely in the younger ages, especially U8 - U11 where there are strict participation rules. The numbers in U15-U18s haven't changed even though total numbers have doubled. There are retirements and bowling restrictions in the older age groups but the games are too long. I have 3 boys and both older boys stopped playing even though they were are cricketers and played rep level. Too long and too boring.... The same goes for senior park cricket, the number of teams in the last 10 years has gone from 50 teams to 34, the numbers speak for themselves. None of the kids of the guys I played with are now playing cricket, it is soccer, league, AFL and basketball. To think that letting a handful of kids bat and bowl all day (the so called Test prospects) while the rest twiddle their thumbs on the side-line or fine leg will mean they don't have enough players for a team the following season. There is plenty of opportunity for good players in rep cricket to bat for a long time. I have plenty of complaints about Cricket Australia but the sooner the junior formats are implemented across all ages including seniors cricket the better. Associations are stacked with people who are cricket tragics or parents with rep cricketers. If it was up to most of them they would play timeless tests or 4 day games in the park. It is killing cricket, the cricket lovers are the ones that will play no matter what, for the rest of the population you need a game that is fun, with lots of action and participation. Is there another sport where you could show up to the game and spend the whole day doing nothing other than watching your mates bat?
den
Guest
It's not just a cricket issue but a societal one. The age of entitlement has meant we have a generation that wants to be the most important and have fun. Anything that is a challenge or promotes selflessness becomes boring. The other big issue is the removal of anything remotely masculine in our school system, why is it our female athletes seem to be getting better and better while our male athletes our getting worse. I would say because no importance is placed on sport in the roles of these boys development. Matter of fact a lot of teachers consider the behaviours that made us one of the best sporting nations in the world toxic. Hopefully we end up with a better society because we sure are going to suck at mens sport for a fair while.
AJ
Roar Rookie
Respectfully disagree there to an extent, as some I don't believe are, but there are others who should probably be in the team that would fit that model. But that's a selection issue...
Daniel Buchanan
Roar Rookie
With respect to test cricket, yes, not enough of them.
AJ
Roar Rookie
10 overs bowling is at least 30 minutes, plus additional time fielding. Just cause 1 person back then could deal with the heat doesn't mean everyone could, or can. Not everything was better "back in your day".
AJ
Roar Rookie
Are you suggesting that we are not producing tough cricketers "steeled for battle"?
Macduff
Roar Rookie
CA definitely needs to find a balance between keeping kids interested and providing a system to challenge the better players. The new formats have been great at our club in under 10 and under 11 level, increasing numbers and all the kids are having fun. Our 12s and up are playing mostly two days games which is great for learning skills for the longer forms of the game. My under 13s team have to get through 60 overs in a morning, and there are no batting limits. They are learning to bat time and be patient - two things that many of our test cricketers seem to lack at the present time. They all get a go at fielding in key positions, bowling and batting (order gets mixed up each game).
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Yep totally agree the cost of cricket equipment is very high. Auckland Cricket tried an initiative called Cricket Blitz and provided the protective equipment and even some playing shirts. Had good traction where a number of schools in lower socio-economic areas got involved, then for what ever reason after 2-3 years it died off.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
That could have something to do wit kit and fees, cricket bats are expensive. Footy codes don't have to worry about that as much
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I grew up in Darwin, played footy, in the build up, full length games and I could do this because like most kids my age back then I was fit, kids can bowl 10 overs a day no problems at all, that's seriously 10 minutes of actual work, what's this world coming to when that is to much?
Noah Barling
Roar Pro
I used to bowl 20 overs in a row in the backyard in 35˚ heat and I loved it, sure there was plenty of drinks breaks and the occasional dip in the pool, but I wouldn't give in until I got my brother out, I simply did not let him declare, or accept it when he did.
DTM
Guest
Interesting article. I'm in WA and we have two levels of junior cricket (and I assume it's the same around the country). That is community cricket and district cricket. I'm all for participation in community cricket and giving everyone a go. after under 14's district players should not be allowed to play both district and community in the same weekend. However, I believe that district cricket needs a major shake up. Third and fourth grades should be under 18's and an under 16's competition of (predominantly) 80 and 70 overs a side. Old blokes playing 3's and 4's on Sat afternoons should be relegated to suburban turf or park cricket. I'm almost 60 and was only half decent in my day and I reckon I could get a game now in some fourth grade sides (I know because I've umpired several). We have been rewarding mediocrity at this level for too long - it is time to clear out the "has beens" and "never will be" players from the pathway to state cricket.
Wayne
Roar Guru
I said explicitly the "younger age bracket" so small children can actually play sport. I also said the higher level (16s, 18s) its a different story and Cricket should be played normally. So any minors identified as talent can play above their age group in the 16s/18s comp, and all the small kids who just want to have fun can also do that.
Chris Meister
Roar Guru
Isn't that how cricket works in the real world?
Rellum
Roar Guru
These rule changes brought in are for a couple of reasons few of which are really about making better players. Control of workloads is supposed to make better cricketers but to me it does the exact opposite. We also have seen a marked increase in specialization at a much younger age, combined with bowling limits and kids sitting in front of screens to much we are going to see more injuries in the future. All the changes so far have produced at best no improvement over time according to CA's figures(and who would trust those at this point) It is also about keeping the game fun and that really just translates into building a consumer base for the future. It is a commercial investment more than anything else. I do like the shorter pitches for younger age groups, that will increase the skill level of players. The fix is a relatively easy one. We need to provide more comps that are played in the longer forms earlier so kids can play that version if they want. Any under age rep teams would need to come from these comps. These comps should not cost anyone anymore than they are already paying but grounds would become scarce and that would be the administrative hurdle. Bowling limits being relaxed would require a require a complete revamp of the physio and sport science set ups at CA which I am fully in support of changing. If I was a 14 year old kid now, based I what I experienced and now know I would go and try my luck in grade and other senior comps. You will improve much faster than being hamstrung but the current junior rules.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
The balancing act is the difficult part. How do we keep interested in playing (when there is so much sport and recreation variety) and ensuring we can develop young cricket players skills so they are prepared to play the longer version. Offering different formats maybe is the solution at certain age groups in club/school. Those that want to play T20 play T20 and those that what to play a longer version of limited overs or multi-day play that. In New Zealand they are starting to try reduce pitch sizes to restrict wides at Junior grades and play 9 a side. This is more aimed at getting children involved. Cricket is also struggling in lower socio-economic areas where there is not many people playing at school level compared to that in the more well of areas.
Wayne
Roar Guru
At the younger age bracket, are you saying that a kid shouldn't get a chance to bat at 3 because the openers ahead of them are having a field and can't get out; meaning 9 kids don't get to bat. Then only 4 kids get to bowl, because they carve them up and the games over. Sounds fun. At a higher level (16s, 18s); then its a different story. But kids won't make it that far if they are playing Cricket to be fielders and that's it. They will quit and play another sport.
Daniel Buchanan
Roar Rookie
Maybe that's another reason we are not producing tough cricketers who are steeled for battle? Monitor kids health and give them plenty of water and hydration and it shouldn't be an issue. I heard commentators say the other day that bowlers only learn by bowling, and all of these restrictions are not only hampering development, but we are still seeing as many bowlers (if not more) break down than ever before. Hopefully there will be some changes made soon.