intercricket manual - Ecb - England and Wales Cricket Board

Introduction
Introduction to Inter Cricket
Inter Cricket is a new format of the game, created by the England and Wales Cricket Board,
to bridge the gap between Kwik Cricket and hardball cricket.
Inter Cricket enables both boys and girls to learn about and experience the game of
cricket, whether in the club, school or neighbourhood environment. The new rules and
specially designed equipment mean that the game can be played safely indoors and
outdoors, on almost any surface.
Previous experience of Kwik Cricket may benefit some players but is certainly not
essential.

Introduction
NatWest and ECB’s Involvement in Inter Cricket and Young Players
NatWest has supported cricket for 25 years and Inter Cricket is its first schools-based
activity. This initiative seeks to significantly raise the profile of cricket in schools and clubs
by introducing cricket to a new generation.
ECB and NatWest are wholly committed to supporting Inter Cricket in schools and clubs
and through Get Inter Cricket to enable teachers and coaches to teach Inter Cricket
with confidence and creativity. ECB has designed these resources as a tool for coaches to
assist them in implementing effective and memorable Inter Cricket activities. They also aim
to encourage clubs to foster student ability and interest so that players will want to further
their participation by accessing the activities of the local cricket club. A complementary
DVD and on-line resources have been designed to accompany this folder, and to provide
additional ideas, whilst you may also wish to explore the ECB website for further
information and support – www.ecb.co.uk/intercricket.

Introduction
Introduction to the Resources
What is Get Inter Cricket
Get Inter Cricket is a multi-media cricket resource that has been designed for use in
secondary schools and cricket clubs to assist teachers and coaches in the planning and
delivery of cricket for the 11-14 age group. The resources have been developed in
conjunction with experienced cricket experts and organisations and with practising
teaching professionals in England and Wales. The entire Get Inter Cricket educational
offering introduces an exciting way for players of all ages and abilities to develop their
skills and progress toward the standard game.
What does Get Inter Cricket offer
This pack has been specifically designed to develop basic cricket skills for all players aged
11-14. The resource encourages the development of these skills as well as playing in a
team and with children of different ages and abilities.
Get Inter Cricket has been created to motivate young players in every activity by
encouraging the participation of everyone, regardless of ability, and shifting the focus to
the improvement of personal performance rather than winning or losing. This encourages
all players to try their best and to set personal goals to improve their own performances.

Introduction
How to use this Resource
The Get Inter Cricket resource comprises a ring-bound folder divided into sections,
containing:
1 x 37 page ‘loose-leaf’ manual
6 x A3 posters for the club – each of these demonstrates a core skill
Manual Layout and Contents
The manual is divided into four sections:
1. Working with Young Cricketers
2. Playing Inter Cricket
3. Useful Information
4. Additional Resources
Working with Young Cricketers
Contains sections on:
• maintaining young players' interest in cricket
• the transition between late primary (and Kwik Cricket) and early secondary
school ages (Inter Cricket)
• guidelines for working with children and how to maximise inclusion,
working with students with all levels of ability and need, and introducing various
roles to ensure full participation by all students at all times
• useful coaching tips
• wet weather activities
Playing Inter Cricket
This section covers playing Inter Cricket indoors and outdoors. It also contains
suggestions for linking with schools, including running competitions.

Working with Young Cricketers
Maintaining Young Players’ Interest in Cricket
Children in the 11-14 age group are an incredibly varied group. Some will appear quite
advanced and confident, others shy and unsure, others still may appear blasé and
uninterested. They will have already decided whether they are into sport or not, some of
them will have well-developed skills and others will not.
Enthusiasm for cricket will also vary a great deal (although presence at your club would
suggest that they are keen cricketers). Some children may have played Kwik Cricket,
others may have some experience of the standard game and others may have no
experience of cricket whatsoever. Cultural backgrounds and home environments will also
affect attitudes to the game.
Inter Cricket was created with sufficient flexibility to meet the needs and fit the ability of all
of these pupils. Because of its coloured kit and white ball, Inter Cricket has a ‘cooler’
perceived appearance than traditional cricket. It is also very exciting and fast-paced,
whilst being reassuringly safe.
Inter Cricket, and cricket in general, will also gain credibility following the success of the
2005 cricket season (final results unknown at time of writing but looking good!). You may
experience an increased number of enquiries and visits to your club both immediately and
longer term following this significant time for English cricket, which has considerably raised
the profile of the game.
Progress players from Kwik Cricket through to Inter Cricket and on to the standard game
as quickly as is appropriate – they will want to move on and develop their skills and may
lose interest if they feel they are being held back.

Working with Young Cricketers
The Transition from Kwik Cricket to Inter Cricket
Some of the children playing at your club may have experience of Kwik Cricket (and may
even have played it at your club). If you are not familiar with this format of the game, here
is a brief summary:
Kwik Cricket is a simple game designed specifically for all children between the ages of
five and 11, and is the result of many years of detailed product development and research
by the England and Wales Cricket Board in consultation with cricket coaches, Cricket
Development Officers, education authorities, teachers and children.
The emphasis of Kwik Cricket is on participation and enjoyment. In practice, any number
of children can play, from two to 32, as the game can be adapted to your own particular
environment in terms of time available and numbers playing.
Kwik Cricket equipment is made from high-quality moulded plastic. It is light enough for
small hands yet extremely tough and hard wearing. It has been designed as an alternative
to traditional equipment to allow the game to be played safely on any flat surface, either
indoors or outdoors. Kits include three different sizes of bat and a ‘batting tee’.
Kwik Cricket can be played in a number of ways, including continuous cricket, pairs cricket
or ‘Lord’s Game’.
To find out more about Kwik Cricket and to order a kit, visit www.ecb.co.uk/kwikcricket.
This game has been highly effective in motivating children to develop their cricket skills.
Children attending your club who have played Kwik Cricket will be keen to progress to Inter
Cricket and on to the standard game.

Working with Young Cricketers
Guidelines for Working with Children
Good practice means
• ensuring that cricket is fun, enjoyable and fair play is promoted.
• treating all young people and disabled adults equally, with respect and dignity.
• being an excellent role model – this includes not smoking or drinking alcohol while
coaching young people.
• always putting the welfare of young people first, before winning or achieving goals by
encouraging a constructive environment where healthy competition, skill development,
fun and achievement are promoted in equal measures.
• always working in an open environment (e.g. avoiding being alone with a child, and
encouraging open communication with no secrets).
• building balanced relationships based on trust which enable young people to take part
in the decision-making process.
• in line with Home Office guidelines, if you are in a position of trust and authority, you
do not have sexual relationships with 16-17 year olds or vulnerable adults in your care.
• not tolerating acts of aggression.
• recognising the needs and abilities of young people, avoiding too much training or
competition and not pushing them against their will.
• giving enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism.
• working to the ECB guidance on physical contact, where young people are always
consulted and their agreement gained before any contact.
• keeping up-to-date with technical skills, qualifications and insurance in sport.
• making sure there are always at least two appropriate adults present if groups have to
be supervised in the changing rooms.
• ensuring that if mixed sex teams are taken away, they are always accompanied by a
male and female member of staff.

Working with Young Cricketers
• while on tour, you do not enter a young person’s room or invite them into your room.
• keeping a written record any time a young person is injured in your care, along with
the details of any treatment provided.
• promoting good sportsmanship by encouraging young people to be considerate of
other athletes, officials and club volunteers and by being modest in victory and
gracious in defeat.
• helping the ECB to work toward eradicating harassment and abuse of young people
from cricket.
Poor practice means you must never:
• spend excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others.
• take or drop off a child at an event.
• take young people to your home or transport them by car, where they will be alone
with you.
• engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games.
• share a room with a young person.
• allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching or physical abuse.
• take part in or tolerate behaviour that frightens, embarrasses or demoralises a
cricketer or that harms their self esteem.
• allow young people to use inappropriate language unchallenged.
• make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun.
• make a young person cry as a form of control.
• allow allegations made by a child to go unchallenged, unrecorded or ignored.
• do things of a personal nature for young people or vulnerable adults that they can do
for themselves.
• shower with a young person..

Working with Young Cricketers
The following guidance is about protecting children who are learning to play cricket. It will
also help to protect coaches from unnecessary or malicious allegations when working with
children or young people.
• If a child or young person becomes injured during a coaching session and the injury
requires the child to be carried to a place of treatment, always seek support from
another adult before moving the child or young person. Any first aid administered
should be in the presence of another adult or in open view of others.
• If the child or young person seems uncomfortable in any way with the physical
contact, stop immediately.
• If the child or young person you are working with is visually impaired, you should tell
them who you are and ask their permission before you come into physical contact
with them.
• Never attempt to adjust the grip of a child or young person when in the normal
batting stance position.

Working with Young Cricketers
• Never find yourself in a situation where you are the only adult present around children
or young people, e.g. in changing rooms, showers, or on a minibus.
• Where physical contact is for motivational or celebratory reasons, agree with the
children, young people, teachers or other appropriate adults that to praise good
performance a ‘High Five’ or similar action will be used.
• Never help children dress, e.g. to put on pads, a protective box or clothing unless
they request this and genuinely require assistance.
• Never take on one to one coaching with a child or young person unless another adult
or parent is present.
• If you need to communicate with a child or young person for the purposes of
coaching or passing on cricket information, use a parent’s mobile telephone number.
If you have agreed with the parents in advance to use the child’s own mobile phone
for communicating with them, under no circumstances make the number available for
general circulation.
For further information on the safe hands policy, go to
www.ecb.co.uk/safehands.

Working with Young Cricketers
Physical growth and development
Differences in physical maturation will affect young players’ capability to develop cricket
skills. These differences can be as much as four years within the same age group. Group
coaching is ideally suited to organising children, differentiating by ability and/or physical
maturation, rather than purely by age. Coaches should ensure that appropriate equipment
is available for all individuals.
When coaching young children, coaches need to be aware that:
• Early maturers often perform impressively but may be ‘caught up’ and overtaken by
late maturers during adolescence.
• Early or late physical development may cause emotional problems.
• Boys may begin a growth spurt as early as 12 or as late as 15 but generally peak at
around 14.
• Girls may begin their growth spurt earlier and usually peak around 12.
• Boys normally reach their adult height at 17 or 18.
• Girls usually reach their adult height by 15 or 16.

Working with Young Cricketers
Children and exercise
An important part of helping young children cope with the physical demands of cricket is
rest. Practices should allow sufficient rest periods after bursts of activity. Early morning or
late evening sessions are not ideal for younger players as they may reduce resistance to
fatigue.
Coaches should note that:
• Children breathe more often than adults and are therefore more prone to
dehydration – drinks should be available at all times during sessions. Children
should be encouraged to drink a ‘little and often’ when involved in physical activity.
• Children are more susceptible to heat loss or gain and therefore should be
appropriately dressed for the environment in which activity is taking place.
• Intensive training during growth spurts can lead to injury.
• Inappropriate forms of training that are based on adult principles will increase the
risk of injury.
Mental growth and development
• Young players tend to look to coaches, teachers, parents and friends to find out
more about the world and themselves.
• It is important that coaches help children attain a positive self-image by being
Positive, Encouraging and Supportive and encourage a positive perception
of the cricket activities they are asked to undertake.
• Broader issues such as physical development, transferable skill development,
social development and the development of self confidence are all benefits of
effective coaching.

Working with Young Cricketers
Useful Tips for Coaching Young Players
This manual is designed for coaches (and potential coaches) of all levels, so some of the
tips below may already be familiar to you. If not, we hope they will give you some
encouraging advice on coaching young cricketers.
Your coaching style
Your role as a coach is to use all the resources available to ensure that your young
cricketers have the opportunity to develop their skills and talents, whatever their particular
abilities may be.
With experience, you will develop your own personal coaching philosophy. The following
questions will help you to begin to arrive at this ethos:
• How important is winning to me
• What is my attitude towards gamesmanship and cheating
• Which is more important – the person or the technique
• How would I be described by players I coach
• How would my coaching colleagues describe me
• What is my attitude towards my development as a coach
• How often do I plan my sessions
• Do I take a long-term view of developing players or am I focused more on shortterm
success
• How often do I evaluate my sessions
• What do I enjoy most about coaching children
• Do I provide a positive role model for young people
• Are my practice sessions fun
• What proportion of my feedback is critical
• Do I tend to ask questions or provide answers
• Am I prepared to explore new ideas

Working with Young Cricketers
All effective coaches will share the following skills:
• Planning skills
• Communication skills (this applies to listening as much as it does to speaking)
• Motivational skills
• Organisational and administrative skills
• Analytical skills
• Style that can be flexible according to individual needs
Coaching young people
Some useful pointers:
• Young players tend to have relatively short attention spans – keep their interest.
• Long drawn-out explanations and/or demonstrations may bore them – keep it brief
and to the point.
• Progress at the appropriate pace for the learner – individuals learn at different
speeds.
• Early activity brings enjoyment and maximum learning – activity is the key to
holding interest.
• Errors are a learning medium – everyone makes them and everyone can learn
from them.

Working with Young Cricketers
Think long-term development rather than immediate short-term results.
“It takes 10 years of extensive training to excel in anything”
Herbert Simon, Nobel Laureate
• All young performers display similar characteristics of physical, mental and
emotional growth and development. These characteristics can help the coach both
understand performance capabilities and limitations, and assist in the design of
appropriate training, practice and play programmes.
• Cricket, like almost all team and ball sports, is a late-specialisation sport. All young
performers should be encouraged to participate in as many other sports as
possible from an early age, in order to acquire all-round athleticism and as a means
of helping improve their cricket skills.
• Young performers are not simply “little adults”. All programmes designed for young
players should be carefully considered to take into account growth and
development issues.
• A balanced ‘play : practice : rest’ ratio is essential for optimum performance.
Teaching new skills
When teaching a new skill or enhancing an existing one, the IDEAL sequence may be
useful:
I
D
E
A
L
Introduce the skill.
Demonstrate or provide an appropriate ‘technical model’.
Explain the key technical and organisational points.
Activity as individuals or groups practice.
Learning through further activity, demonstrations, explanations, and positive and
corrective feedback.

Working with Young Cricketers
Understanding how players learn
Complex skills are often better understood when explained in smaller, more manageable
parts. A ‘drip-feed’ approach is recommended in which coaching points, supported by an
appropriate technical model, are followed quickly by group activity. Coaches should move
from simple to more complex, and from closed skill to more open skill activities appropriate
to the performer’s skill development.
Shaping and chaining are two methods which are particularly useful when either
introducing new skills or modifying existing techniques.
Shaping involves attempting the ‘whole’ movement and gradually refining it. This approach
is often used when introducing batting skills during group coaching.
Chaining is dismantling the technique into its component parts, allowing players to work
progressively through each. Chaining may be either sequenced from the starting position
of the skill, or from the point of impact or release backwards. This latter method is known
as reverse chaining.
Setting goals
Motivating players can be achieved with goal setting. By focusing on process and
performance goals (what the player needs to do), rather than outcome goals (the results of
a game or session), coaches can contribute towards players’ motivation and confidence
levels. When setting goals, use the ‘Smarter’ approach.
Goals should be:
S
M
A
R
T
E
R
Specific to the programme
Measurable
Agreed and accepted by the player
Realistic, but challenging
Time phased – set against a time frame
Exciting – sufficiently challenging to allow a sense of achievement on attainment
Recorded – to allow coaches and players to monitor progress

Working with Young Cricketers
General advice for coaching staff
• Be punctual and look the part - create the right image. Be enthusiastic!
• Prepare coaching sessions thoroughly.
• Coaching sessions should be enjoyable, realistic and fun.
• Ensure maximum activity at all times.
• Make allowances for different ages and abilities. Be patient and sympathetic.
• Report any serious injuries to the organiser(s) immediately.
• Equipment should be checked at the start and finish of each session. Any loss of
equipment should be reported to the organiser(s) as soon as possible.
• Closing remarks should include encouragement to practice at every opportunity.
• Wherever possible, stress the importance of playing the game in the correct spirit,
and respecting the opponents and officials on and off the field.
Words of Wisdom!
• Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
• An ounce of theory to a ton of practice.
• Do not talk a demonstration. A picture paints a thousand words.
• Coach the cause, not the result.
• Coaching is serious fun.
• Practice makes permanent. Permanently good or bad.
For further information on cricket coaching, visit www.ecb.co.uk/ecb/coaching.
Wet Weather Activities
The weather does not mean that you have to give up on the day’s Inter Cricket training
session. If the sports hall, cricket field or practice facility is already taken then you can
always use the cricket pavilion, changing room or any other suitable indoor area available
to engage with your young cricketers. Here are some ideas that will keep students learning
the fun way.

Activity 1
The Ten Ways of Being Out in Cricket
Match the correct definition with each of the ten ways to be out in cricket.
Caught
Bowled
Leg Before Wicket
Stumped
Run Out
Hit Wicket
Handle the Ball
Obstructing the Field
Hit the Ball Twice
Timed Out
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
If a batsman hits a delivery with his bat and then deliberately hits the ball again for any reason other than to defend his wicket
from being broken by the ball.
If, in attempting to hit a ball or taking off for a first run, the batsman touches and breaks the wicket, he is out.
If the batsman misses the ball and it hits and breaks the wicket directly from the bowler’s delivery. He is also out if the ball breaks
the wicket after deflecting from his bat or body.
If a new batsman takes longer than two minutes, from the time the previous wicket falls, to appear on the field.
If a fielder catches the ball on the full after the batsman has hit it with his bat, or it has touched the hand holding the bat.
If a batsman touches the ball with a hand not currently holding the bat, without the permission of the fielding side.
If the ball hits the batsman without first hitting the bat, but would have hit the wicket if the batsman was not there, and the ball
does not pitch on the leg side of the wicket the batsman will be out. However, if the ball strikes the batsman outside the line of
the off-stump, and the batsman was attempting to play a stroke, he is not out.
If either batsman is attempting to take a run, or to return to his crease after an aborted run, and a fielder breaks that batsman’s
wicket with the ball while he is out of the crease.
If a batsman deliberately interferes with the efforts of fielders to gather or catch the ball or affect a run out.
If a batsman misses the ball and in attempting to play it steps outside his crease, he is out if the wicket-keeper gathers the ball
and breaks the wicket with it before the batsman can ground part of his body or his bat behind his crease.
What are the 5 most common ways of being out in cricket
1. Way of being out ………………………………
2. Way of being out ……………………………….
3. Way of being out ………………………………
4. Way of being out ……………………………….
5. Way of being out ……………………………….

Activity 2
Cricket Glossary
Can you fill in the blanks and complete the glossary of cricket terms
B _ _ _
B _ _ _ _ _ _ _
C _ _ _ _ B _ _ _ _ _
C _ _ _ _ _
H _ _ W _ _ _ _ _
I _ _ _ _ _ _
L _ _ B _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ _ _
N _ B _ _ _
N _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _
O _ _ _
R _ _
R _ _ O _ _
One of the wooden crosspieces that sits on top of
adjacent pairs of stumps to form a wicket.
The perimeter of a cricket field, marked by an obvious
fence or marker.
When a batter is beaten by a ball and subsequently
dismissed through the stumps being broken.
One of the white lines marked on the pitch to denote
different areas of play; either the bowling, popping, or
return c _ _ _ _ _
To strike and subsequently break the stumps with the bat
resulting in the batter’s dismissal.
The period of time spent batting by a team or individual.
If the ball hits the batsman without first hitting the bat, but
would have hit the wicket if the batsman was not there,
and the ball does not pitch on the leg side of the wicket
the batsman will be out. However, if the ball strikes the
batsman outside the line of the off-stump, and the
batsman was attempting to play a stroke, he is not out.
An unfair bowl because (a) it rolled along the ground (b)
the bowler threw the ball instead of bowling with a straight
arm (c) the bowler overstepped the popping crease.
A term used to describe the batter waiting at the
bowler’s end.
6 fair deliveries completes one of these.
The method of scoring during a game of cricket. Also a
single unit of score.
A method of dismissing the batter by disturbing the
stumps before the batter has made his ground and is
within the batting crease.

Activity 2
S _ _ _ _ _ _
S _ _ _ _ _
T _ _ _
W _ _ _ _ _
W _ _ _ _ _ M _ _ _ _ _
W _ _ _ _ _ K _ _ _ _ _
W _ _ _
The name given to the batter who is facing the bowler. The
batter is said to be “on strike”.
Wooden uprights of which there are three on which the
bails are balanced to form the wicket.
A cricket match of International standard scheduled to last
for 5 days.
The collective term for 3 stumps and 2 bails at either end
of the pitch.
An over in which the bowler has taken a wicket without a
batter scoring runs.
Player who wears fielding gloves and stands behind the
batter’s wicket ready to catch the ball if the batter
misses it.
A ball that a batter cannot reach.

Activity 3
Cricket Language – Word Search
There are 16 words that are used in cricket, hidden in the puzzle. Can you find them and
list them all
Words can be found in the following directions: upwards, downwards, diagonally and even
backwards!
1._________________
2._________________
3._________________
4._________________
5._________________
6._________________
7._________________
8._________________
9.__________________
10._________________
11._________________
12._________________
13._________________
14._________________
15._________________
16._________________
Now can you define what each word means in terms of cricket

Activity 4
Healthy & Balanced Diet
A healthy and balanced diet is essential as it provides the energy and nourishment
everyone needs to be fit and active. All foods fit into one of the groups below and we need
to eat more of some foods than others to have a healthy diet.
What food does this group include
How much do we
need
What do they provide
Fruit &
Vegetables
All vegetables, raw, cooked, frozen and
canned
All fruits, raw, cooked, frozen and
canned
We should try to eat at
least five portions of
fruit and vegetables a
day
• Some forms of sugar, a type of
carbohydrate
• Vitamins such as vitamin C, carotenes
(a type of vitamin A), folic acid
• Fibre to help the intestines work well
• Useful amounts of some minerals, like
iron, potassium and calcium
Bread, other
cereals and
potatoes
Bread, rolls, pizza base, chapattis,
breakfast cereals, oats, pasta, rice,
noodles, potatoes, yams, plantain,
maize, millet and cornmeal and green
bananas
These are known as
starchy foods and we
need to make these the
main part of our meals
• Starch is a type of carbohydrate that
the body uses for energy
• Foods contain calcium, fibre, iron and
B vitamins
• Many breakfast cereals and breads
have added vitamins
• Wholemeal and wholegrain versions
provide plenty of fibre
Milk and
dairy
products
Milk – full cream, semi-skimmed and
skimmed, cheese, yoghurt, fromage
frais
We need to eat
moderate amounts of
these foods everyday. It
is a good choice to have
the lower fat versions of
these foods whenever
possible
• Protein which is needed for growth
and repairing the body
• Vitamins such as B12 and riboflavin,
also vitamins A and D
• Calcium to build and maintain healthy
bones
Foods
containing
fat; foods
containing
sugar
Fat – butter, margarines, low-fat
spreads, olive oil, sunflower oil and
other cooking oils, mayonnaise and
salad dressings
Sugar – ice-cream, pastries, puddings,
chocolate, sweets, biscuits, cakes,
crisps and sugary drinks
There is no need to cut
these foods out
completely, but make
sure you get the balance
right. Try not to eat
these foods too often
and keep them to small
amounts. Enjoy them as
treats
• Fat which gives us energy and also fat
soluble vitamins A, D, E and K
• Essential fatty acids
• Sugars
Meat and fish
alternatives
Meat – beef, pork, bacon, lamb
Meat products - sausages and
beefburgers
Poultry – chicken, turkey
Fish – fresh, frozen and canned
Fish products – fish fingers and fish
cakes
Liver and kidney
Non meat alternatives
Eggs, nuts, beans and lentils (including
baked beans, chickpeas, red and
green lentils), textured vegetable
protein, soya mince
We need to eat a variety
of these foods in
moderate amounts. It is
a good choice to have
the low fat versions
whenever possible
• Protein
• B Vitamins like B12
• Minerals like iron, zinc and magnesium
*Source: www.lifebytes.gov.uk
Create a 7 day healthy eating plan for your favourite cricket player including 3 meals and
two healthy snacks everyday.

Activity Answers
Activity 1
What are the 5 most common ways of being out in cricket
• Caught
• Stumped
• Bowled
• Run Out
• Leg before Wicket
Activity 2
Cricket Glossary
Bail, Boundary, Clean Bowled, Crease, Hit Wicket, Innings, Leg Before Wicket, No Ball, Non
Striker, Over, Run, Run Out, Striker, Stumps, Test, Wicket, Wicket Maiden, Wicket Keeper,
Wide
Activity 3
Word Search
Bail, Boundary, Crease, Innings, Over, Test, Wicket, Maiden, Wide, Pitch, Bowled, Stumped,
Drive, Backswing, Block, Caught
Activity 4
Students just need to demonstrate an understanding of a balanced and healthy diet.
A variety of options available.

Playing Inter Cricket
Inter Cricket Equipment
The Inter Cricket Set includes:
• 3 pairs of ambidextrous batting gloves
• 3 pairs of quick-change leg guards
• 1 thread-stitched and 5 rubberised balls for indoor and outdoor use
• 2 colourful sets of stumps
• 1 pair of close-fitting wicket keeping gloves
• 3 lightweight wooden cricket bats
• All equipment comes in an Inter Cricket holdall
To order equipment and for further information on Inter Cricket, visit
www.ecb.co.uk/intercricket or call the ECB Development Information
Line on 0800 214 314.
However, this kit is not essential for playing Inter Cricket. Standard (or modified) bats,
gloves, leg guards and stumps can be used, along with any soft ball.

Playing Inter Cricket
Inter Cricket Indoors and Outdoors
Inter Cricket can be easily adapted for play indoors or outdoors, so bad weather or limited
facilities need not limit planned lessons or activities.
The main differences in the indoor and outdoor game are set out in this section.
Playing Inter Cricket Indoors
Pitch
• As set out in the diagram below, with permissible adjustments for local
circumstances.
• The pitch should be offset towards the striker’s end to offer a longer boundary to
the boundary wall behind the bowler.
• Pitch length may be adjusted to suit ball type and size of playing area.
• The ‘running crease’ drawn across the pitch 15 yards (13.71m) from the middle
stump at the strikers end may be reduced to a minimum of 10 yards. The shorter
distance is set to encourage batters to run.
Recommended length of pitch:
• U12 = 20 yards (18.3m)
• U13 = 21 yards (19.2m)
Boundary
• Over 14 = 22 yards (20.1m)
Inner Zone
Zone Score =+1
15 yards
4 feet
Zone Score =+1
Batter
Running Crease
Non-striker
Zone Score =+1
Bowler
4 feet
Boundary Score =+4 or +6

Playing Inter Cricket
Teams
Each team has a minimum of six players, including a wicket keeper who does not bowl.
Team size may be increased if space permits.
A captain is appointed in each team. The captain, in consultation with team mates, is
responsible for field placements and order of batting. Waiting batters act as scorers and
umpires.
Batting
Each team has one innings. An innings is closed after
an agreed number of overs or when all batters are out.
Normal cricket rules apply, except:
• Non-striking batter waits level with and to the
side of the ‘running crease’ and may not
interfere with any bowled ball.
• Batters change ends at the end of each over.
• Batters may be caught out off the ceiling and
walls (except the boundary wall), providing the
ball has not touched the floor.
• To run-out a batter running to the ‘running
crease’, the wicket has to be broken at the end
the batter is running toward.
• LBW may only be given if a batter deliberately blocks the ball to prevent it hitting
the wicket.
• A single remaining batter may continue batting, changing ends as necessary to
receive strike.
• A partner must run with the remaining batter; the whole side is out when the solo
batter is out or either player is run out.
• A batter retires on 15 but the last scoring hit counts (ie. if batter is on 14 and scores
6 on their next hit, they retire on 20).
• A retired batter may resume their innings when only one batter remains.

Playing Inter Cricket
Fielding
• Captain tells fielders where to position. With the
exception of the wicket keeper, no fielder is
allowed to stand within 10 yards of the striking
batter until the ball is played.
Bowling
• Bowl from one end only (overarm bowling). Only
six balls to be bowled in any over.
• If preferred, two bowlers may bowl in tandem,
bowling alternately to complete either a six ball
over or 2 x six ball overs. The inactive bowler
may not field. No bowler may bowl more than
four overs per session.
• The ball which follows a no-ball or wide is a free
hit (striker cannot be out on that hit).

Playing Inter Cricket
Scoring
Batting team
• Batters may run on any ball whether it is hit or not.
• Batters score runs by running between the striker’s popping crease and the
‘running crease’ (score 1 for each completed run).
Zone score
• 1 run is added to the batter’s score if a struck ball hits any wall other than the
boundary wall behind the bowler.
Boundaries
Extras
• 4 runs are added to the batter’s score if a struck ball hits the floor and then the
boundary wall behind the bowler without touching any other wall beforehand.
• 6 runs are added to the batter’s score if a struck ball hits the boundary wall behind
the bowler without touching the floor or any other wall beforehand.
• Add 2 runs to the team score for each no-ball or wide bowled by the opposing
team (any completed runs, zone scores or boundaries are also added to the team
score).
• If the ‘free hit’ (immediately following a wide or no-ball) is also a wide or no-ball that
ball is pronounced ‘dead’ and 6 runs are added to the team score.
Explanatory note
If a no-ball or wide is bowled immediately after a ‘free hit’ then 2 extra runs are scored, as
described above. The following ball would then be a ‘free hit’, unless six balls have already
been bowled in which case the over is ended and an additional 6 runs are added to the
team score.

Playing Inter Cricket
Playing Inter Cricket Outdoors
Pitch
• As set out in the diagram, with permissible
adjustments for local circumstances.
Recommended length of pitch:
• U12 = 20 yards (18.3m)
• U13 = 21 yards (19.2m)
• Over 14 = 22 yards (20.1m)
• Pitch length may be adjusted to suit ball
type and size of playing area.
Teams
Each team has a minimum of eight players, including a wicket keeper who does not bowl.
A captain is appointed in each team. The captain, in consultation with team mates, is
responsible for field placements and order of batting. Waiting batters can act as scorers
and umpires.
Boundary scores are as in the laws of cricket, ie. 4 or 6 runs. The zone score is ignored if
the ball crosses the boundary.

Playing Inter Cricket
Batting
Normal cricket rules apply, except:
• 50% of team bat in the first innings and the remaining 50% in the second innings.
• An innings is closed when an agreed number of overs has been bowled or when all
batters are out.
• A single remaining batter may continue batting, changing end as necessary to
receive strike; a partner must run with the remaining batter; either batter may be
run out to end the innings.
• LBW may only be given if a batter deliberately blocks the ball to prevent it hitting
the wicket.
• A batter retires on 15 but the last scoring hit counts (ie. if batter is on 14 and scores
6 on their next hit, they retire on 20).
• A retired batter may resume their innings when only one batter remains.
Fielding
• Fielders, except for the wicket keeper and bowler, must start outside the inner zone
and may only enter that zone as the batter hits the ball or the ball passes the batter.
• The captain tells fielders where to place their fielding disc. Each fielder must
position their disc to look over it toward the batter and then walk over it as the
bowler bowls.
• Fielders take their fielding disc to a new fielding position at the end of an over.
• If a fielder attempts a run out and the ball hits the stumps, that ball is declared
‘dead’ and no further runs may be scored.
Bowling
• Bowlers use their fielding disc to mark their run-up. Bowl (overarm) from both
ends.
• Minimum of eight overs per side per match. At least 50% of the team must bowl.
• No bowler may bowl more than four overs. Only six balls to be bowled in any over.
• The ball which follows a no-ball or wide is a ‘free hit’ (striker cannot be out on that
hit). Name and signal of ‘free hit’ to be determined.

Playing Inter Cricket
Scoring
Batting team
Batters may run on any ball whether it is hit or not. Standard cricket scoring applies,
except:
• Add 1 run (zone score) to the batter’s score if a ball is hit outside the inner zone but
does not cross the boundary line.
• Add 2 extra runs to the team score for each no-ball or wide bowled by the
opposing team (any completed runs, zone scores or boundaries are also added to
the team score).
• If the free hit immediately following a wide or no-ball is also a wide or no-ball then
that ball is pronounced ‘dead’ and 6 runs are added to the team score.
Fielding team
3 runs are scored each time a batter is out.
Result: the team with the highest combined batting and fielding score wins. A tied game is
acceptable. If a winner must be determined, use a bowl-out competition as follows:
• Three bowlers from each team bowl one ball alternately at three stumps.
• The ball may be a full toss or bounce once only.
• The team scoring the most hits after that sequence is declared the winner.
• If the scores are still tied after three balls per team then ‘sudden death’ applies.
Explanatory note
If a no-ball or wide is bowled immediately after a ‘free hit’, then 2 extra runs are scored, as
described above. The following ball would then be a ‘free hit’ unless six balls have already
been bowled, in which case the over is ended and an additional 6 runs are added to the
team score.

Playing Inter Cricket
Training Drills and Exercises
For a comprehensive range of training suggestions, see the ECB Coaches Manual.
Suggestions for Creating Partnerships with Schools
An increasing number of clubs already have good links with local schools. If yours does
not, or you would like to improve existing links, the following suggestions may be useful.
Clubs could appoint an individual to liaise with local schools. They could go and visit
either Heads of PE or Head Teachers, on behalf of the club, and discuss ways of working
together. Once relationships are established, regular mailshots could be used to inform
schools of special events and regular training sessions.
Some clubs run regular Inter Cricket sessions which local schools are invited to. Saturday
mornings are a popular time.
Your club could hold Inter Cricket festivals during spring and summer and invite local
schools to enter teams. These could take place on school days, either after school or an
hour or so before school finishes. ‘Round robin’ Inter Cricket competitions could be open
to teams of different ages.
A great way of demonstrating what your club can offer is to send qualified coaches (with all
required qualifications and training) into schools to teach Inter Cricket during summer term.
For further information on this initiative, you can get in touch with Edward Leverton, ECB
National Development Manager for Education on 01752 307024 or alternatively email him
on edward.leverton@ecb.co.uk.
Keep children attending the club satisfied with regular training sessions during the week.
These should meet all levels of ability. Make the sessions flexible and fun, and keep
players busy with lots of challenging activities.

Useful Information
Focus Clubs
Your club has been identified by the ECB’s Community Cricket programme to act as the
strategic lead, focus and profile for cricket on a local basis.
In line with your Focus Club status, your club is required to offer innovative, well managed
and wide reaching junior development on high quality facilities, in a safe, effective and
child-friendly environment as part of the Clubmark (club accreditation) process.
Making contact with other Focus Clubs can be a useful way to develop new ideas, share
experiences and run joint programmes and competitions.
To get in touch with other Focus Clubs, contact the relevant Cricket Development Officer.

Useful Information
Cricket Development Officers
Development
The ECB Development Department has overall responsibility for developing cricket activity
in schools and clubs in England and Wales.
The Cricket Development Officers (CDOs) and their County Boards are the mechanism to
deliver these initiatives.
Primary and secondary schools, clubs, district cricket and facilities are all crucial elements
of a framework to provide children with the opportunity to experience the game, as well as
a pathway for the more talented.
Numerous activities and resources have been developed, or are being developed, for boys,
girls, players with disabilities, teachers and coaches.
Development Initiatives
The ECB Development Department’s innovation and enterprise in launching new initiatives
is paying dividends in reversing the decline in the numbers of school children playing
cricket in England and Wales.

Useful Information
Contact us
If you have any development queries you should contact your local Cricket Development
Officer - or email schools@ecb.co.uk for primary and secondary enquiries.
You can also call the ECB’s Development Information Line on 0800 214 314.
Sport England
You can also find a library of resources and information on the Sport England website -
www.sportengland.org.
Cricket Development Officers
Cricket in England and Wales has a nationwide development network, set up to administer
the growth of the game. The various development staff are available to provide help and
advice to you on all aspects of cricket.
To find the contact details of your local Cricket Development Officer, go to
www.ecb.uk.uk/ecb/development.