Boost for Darwin school children with heroes in town

Having some of Australia's World Cup heroes in town for the first Test to be staged in Darwin has its advantages for local schoolchildren.

On Tuesday next week, Andy Bichel, Adam Gilchrist, Jason Gillespie, Justin Langer, Brett Lee and Brad Hogg will host 150 pupils from three primary schools, Durack, Casuarina Street and Nightcliff, at the Northern Territory Cricket Association (NTCA) No 1 Oval for a MILO Cricket superclinic.

Darwin's first Test match, between Australia and Bangladesh starts at Marrara Oval on Friday week.

The schools were selected from a competition run in the local newspaper, the Northern Territory News. The two-hour session in the afternoon will feature several modified games and skill-building activities and will be co-ordinated by NTCA development officers.

Gilchrist acknowledged the chance the Test match provided to pass on some knowledge and tips to local youngsters. "The MILO Cricket programs, with its emphasis on participation fun and learning, are the ideal ways to introduce young players to the game. Cricket is Australia's only true national sport, and it's particularly exciting to be able to take the MILO Cricket program to the Top End. It's the second time I've been involved in the program in Darwin and I know the kids are going to get a lot of enjoyment from it."

Under the sponsored-Superclinic program, more than half a million young Australians are exposed to cricket each year. Eight Superclinics are being held around the country this year.

The programs include: Have A Go a cricket club-based program focused on introducing five to 10 years old to the game; Kanga Cricket - a school based program that is now part of 90% of Australian schools syllabuses; and Super 8s - a modified game played by more than 4400 teams from secondary schools and cricket clubs around the country.