Indoor cricket
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Indoor Cricket is a variation on the conventional game of cricket. The game originated in Perth, Western Australia, in the 1970s. It is now popular across the world. The biggest difference between cricket and indoor cricket is, obviously, that it is played indoors. As large indoor playing fields are extremely rare, the game of indoor cricket has been adapted to suit much smaller playing areas. As a result of this, the game is much faster than conventional cricket.
Rules
In terms of the concept of the game indoor cricket follows the usual Laws of Cricket. However, the game itself differs significantly from its traditional counterpart in several ways, most notably on the field of play and the duration of the game.
The Playing Arena
The length of an indoor cricket pitch is the same as a conventional cricket pitch, and has 3 stumps at each end, but there the similarities end. The arena is completely enclosed by tight netting, a few metres from each side and end of the pitch. The playing surface is normally artificial grass matting. Whilst the pitch is the same length, however, the batsmen don't have to run the entire length. The striker's crease is in the regulation place in front of the stumps, but the non-striker's crease is only half way down the pitch.Players
Indoor cricket is played between 2 teams of 8 players. Each player must bowl 2 overs, and bat in a partnership of 4 overs.Equipment
The stumps used in indoor cricket are not, for obvious reasons, stuck in the ground. Instead, they are collapsible spring loaded stumps that immediately spring back to the standing position when knocked over. The ball used in indoor cricket is a modified cricket ball, with a softer centre. The ball also differs in that it is yellow in colour so to make it more obvious to see indoors against varied backgrounds.Scoring
- Zone A (front net - behind the keeper): 0 bonus runs
- Zone B (side nets between the striker's end and halfway down the pitch): 1 run
- Zone C (side nets between halfway and the bowlers end): 2 runs
- Zone D (back net - behind the bowler):
- *On the bounce: 4 runs
- *On the full: 6 runs
- Zone B or C onto Zone D: 3 runs
Dismissals
A batsman can be dismissed in the same ways they can be in conventional cricket. When a batsman gets dismissed, however, he continues batting, and receives a score of -5. Batsmen bat in pairs for 4 overs at a time, regardless of dismissals.The Game in Australia
Within each state and territory there are hundreds of domestic competitions that are played in centres that are generally privately owned, yet affiliated with the state and national bodies.
Each of the affiliated centres generally compete in what is known as Superleague in order to contest the State Championships. It is important to note that these competitions are based on centres and are not regional (ie. A Player living in District A could play Superleague for a centre based in District B if that is where they played their domestic competition).
From the participants of the Superleague competition each state and territory generally selects a side to compete at the Australian Championships held annually. By extension, the Australian side is selected from participants of the Australian Championships.
Past Winners of the Australian Championships
| Year | Men | Women | 18/u Men | 16/u Men | 14/u Men | Lords Taverners | O30 Men | O30 Women | O35 Men | O40 Men |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | NSW | WA | ||||||||
| 1985 | NSW | Tas | ||||||||
| 1986 | Tas | NSW | ||||||||
| 1987 | Tas | Qld | ||||||||
| 1988 | Tas | Qld | ||||||||
| 1989 | Vic | ACT | NSW | |||||||
| 1990 | NSW | Qld | NSW | |||||||
| 1991 | WA | Qld | NSW | Qld | ||||||
| 1992 | WA | NSW | Qld | Qld | ||||||
| 1993 | NSW | NSW | Vic | Qld | Qld | |||||
| 1994 | Vic | NSW | WA | Qld | NSW | |||||
| 1995 | NSW | NSW | Qld | Vic | Qld | Vic | Qld | |||
| 1996 | Qld | NSW | Qld | Vic | Qld | Qld | Qld | Qld | ||
| 1997 | Qld | NSW | Qld | Vic | Qld | Qld | Vic | Vic | ||
| 1998 | NSW | Qld | Qld | Vic | Qld | NSW | Qld | Qld | ||
| 1999 | Qld | Qld | Qld | Vic | Vic | Qld | Qld | Qld | ||
| 2000 | Qld | NSW | Qld | Qld | Vic | NSW | Qld | Qld | ||
| 2001 | Qld | Qld | Qld | Qld | Qld | NSW | Qld | Qld | ||
| 2002 | Qld | Qld | Qld | Qld | Vic | Qld | Qld | NSW | ||
| 2003 | NSW | Qld | Qld | Qld | Vic | Qld | Qld | Qld | ||
| 2004 | Qld | Qld | Qld | WA | Vic | NSW | Qld | Qld | Qld | |
| 2005 | Qld | Qld | SA | Qld | Qld | NSW | Qld | Qld | Qld | |
| 2006 | Qld | Vic | NSW | Qld | NSW Ctry | Qld |
The Game Internationally
Whilst Indoor Cricket originated in and is predominantly more popular in Australia, the sport is popular in several other nations that are active on the international level. These nations include England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka as well as Zimbabwe.
Indoor Cricket Australia is active in supporting these nations in developing the sport internationally and currently presides over the World Indoor Cricket Federation. The positive results of this development focus are reflected in the success of nations such as Sri Lanka and South Africa in recent international tournaments. Sri Lanka are the only side in recent memory to have defeated the Australian Extreme Men's side, whilst South Africa are the current Junior Men's Champions and have threatened in the Open Women's division as well has previously holding the title of Junior Women's Champions. Additionally, New Zealand have consistently provided a threat on the Open Men level, all signs that the dominance Australia currently enjoys on the international level won't last forever.
International Events
Current Australian Teams
The following sides were selected during both the 2006 Australian Open Championships and Australian Junior Championships. With the exception of the "Allstar" sides, each Australian team will represent their nation at various Test matches and exhibition games between now and the selection of the next Australian sides to be named during 2006.
Australian Extreme (Open) Sides
| Australian Extreme Men | Australian Extreme Women |
|---|---|
| Troy Gurski (Qld) - Captain | Jude Coleman (Qld) - Captain |
| Bill Floros (ACT) - Vice-Captain | Belinda Noack (SA) |
| James Spargo (Qld) | Cindy Kross (Qld) |
| Darren Richards (ACT) | Nicole Martin (Vic) |
| Lyle Teske (Qld) | Rebecca Cook (Qld) |
| David Gibbons (NSW) | Amy Wills (NSW) |
| Dwane Hall (ACT) | April Hames (Qld) |
| Robert Fitzgerald (Qld) | Neisha Iles (SA) |
| Josh Lalor (NSW) | Kylie Peters (NQld) |
| Brad Jones (Vic) | Elizabeth Hall (NSW) |
| Ty Hopes (WA) | Katrina Teske (Qld) |
| Vinesh Bennett (NSW) | Jessica Surace (Vic) |
| Ross Gregory (Vic) - Coach | Steve Hart (ACT) - Coach |
| Rod Chilcott (WA) - Manager | Maleah Harris (Qld) - Manager |
Australian Electric (Junior) Sides
| Australian Electric Junior Men | Australian Electric Junior Women |
|---|---|
| Michael Ledgard (SA) | Sarah Coyte (NSW) |
| Jarrad Leach (WA) | Sarah Harris (Qld) |
| Nathan Hodges (NSW) | Rachel Kent (NSW) |
| Craig Dollman (SA) | Meg Lyons (Qld) |
| Kyle Dearness (Qld) | Claire Coski (NSW) |
| Josh Lalor (NSW)¹ | Melissa Mayers (Qld) |
| Kyle Gilbert (WA) | Calista Moffatt (Qld) |
| Herbie Heuir (Qld) | Tiahana Paulson (NSW) |
| Lee Irwin (WA) | Ashleigh Skopp (Qld) |
| Josh Trappel (NSW)² | Kara Sutherland (NSW) |
| Andrew Lamond (ACT) | Sarah Walker (Qld) |
| Graham Butler (WA) - Coach | Donna Dalby (Qld) - Coach |
| Jamie Parkinson (ACT) - Manager | Kerrie Brill (NSW) - Manager |
¹subsequently named in the Australian Extreme Men side. ²subsequently named a reserve in the Australian Extreme Men side.
Australian Elite (Masters) Sides
| Australian Elite Men |
|---|
| Greg Powell (Qld) |
| Colin Robinson (Qld) |
| Mark Hogan (SA) |
| Brendan Buckley (Qld) |
| David Cranwell (Qld) |
| Mark Butler (NSW) |
| Rob McInnes (Qld) |
| Mark Noble (Qld) |
| Paul Marchesi (NSW) |
| Ken Jackson (Qld) |
| Bruce Arrold (Qld) - Coach |
Australian Junior Allstar Sides
| Australian 14/U Allstars | Australian 16/U Allstars |
|---|---|
| Mathew Meade (WA) | Corey Armstrong (Vic) |
| Aaron Flaherty (NSW Ctry) | Shane Bocking (Qld) |
| Nathan Brain (NSW City) | Jason Floros (ACT) |
| Andrew Holder (WA) | Cameron Boyce (Qld) |
| Sam Reece (NSW City) | Simon Orford (NQld) |
| Toby Armstrong (Vic) | Christopher Boyce (Qld) |
| Joshua Smith (WA) | Zaheer Domingo (NSW City) |
| Jordan Peacock (NSW Ctry) | Andrew Boyle (Qld) |
| Matthew Foster (NSW City) | Adam Coyte (NSW City) |
| Brendon Reynolds (NSW Ctry) | Leeland Zeller (Qld) |
Australian Over 30 Allstar Sides
| Australian Over 30 Men Allstars | Australian Over 30 Women Allstars |
|---|---|
| Greg Lillis (NSW) | Sam Dillon (NSW) |
| Peter Steinhardt (Qld) | Joanne Broadbent (Qld) |
| Adrian McCaffrey (NSW) | Donna McCrennor (Qld) |
| Bill Floros (ACT) | Kim Horwood (NSW) |
| Vinesh Bennett (NSW) | Julie McGuinness (Qld) |
| Leigh Holt (Qld) | Kerry Johnson (Vic) |
| Paul Smith (SA) | Andrea McCauley (SA) |
| Darren O'Connell (NSW) | Heather Brooker (Qld) |
| Sean Watt (SA) | Roz Vanderzwet (NSW) |
| Preston Hart (ACT) | Sharon James (Qld) |
| Ian Johnstone (NSW) - Coach | Heather Williamson (Qld) - Coach |
Australian Over 40 Allstar Sides
| Australian Over 40 Men Allstars |
|---|
| Rick Heagerty (Qld) |
| Simon Morris (SA) |
| Scott Sommerville (Qld) |
| Ray Thompson (WA) |
| Ray Zahnow (Qld) |
| Lee Morphew (Qld) |
| John Trela (WA) |
| Wayne Turner (Qld) |
| Stephen Ahern (NSW) |
| Tony Van Den Elsen (Qld) |
| Chris Pointon (Qld) - Coach |
Australian Lords Taverners Allstar Sides
| Australian Lords Taverners Allstars |
|---|
| Grant Cross (WA) |
| Rex Breed (Qld) |
| Lindsay Drowley (SA) |
| Jason Richards (Qld) |
| Avyley Tupuanga (NSW) |
| Dean Aitken (Qld) |
| Craig Whitehand (Vic) |
| Brett Wilson (Qld) |
| David Baird (NSW) |
| Rebecca Heading (Qld) |
| Gary Smith (Qld) - Coach |
External links
National Bodies[British Indoor Cricket Association]
[Ceylon (Sri Lankan) Indoor Cricket Association]
[South African Indoor Cricket Association]
Australian State Bodies
[Australian Capital Territory Indoor Cricket Federation]
[Indoor Sports New South Wales]
[Indoor Sports Western Australia]
[Indoor Cricket South Australia]
Other Links
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