Inter Cricket Explanation and implementation timescale
Inter Cricket was designed for boys and girls who, for reasons of facility or ability, can't play hard ball cricket
ECB Media Release
31-Mar-2000
Rationale
Inter Cricket was designed for boys and girls who, for reasons of facility or ability, can't play hard ball cricket. It will bridge the gap between Kwik Cricket and the traditional hardball game, thus fostering increased levels of participation in the game, particularly amongst 12-14 year old children.
Backed by CGU and Sportsmatch funding, the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) major new grass roots initiative is ideal for use in secondary schools, primary schools - for those who have progressed to a level above Kwik Cricket - and clubs.
Inter Cricket can be played in the playground or on grass, indoors or outdoors; it therefore underlines the ECB's commitment to promoting the game to, amongst others, inner city areas and ethnic minorities.
Background
A study group was formed in 1998 to explore the feasibility of developing a game format to bridge the gap between Kwik Cricket and the hardball game. This group, which included ECB Development and Coaching staff, education advisers and teachers, produced Inter Cricket.
The Game
The game is designed to be fun, fast, exciting and to reward genuine cricket skills. It is directly linked to the CGU National Cricket League in order to create an aspirational link to First Class Cricket. Coloured bibs are wom, with coloured pads and gloves, and it is played with coloured bats and a white rubberised ball with a stitched seam.
A fielding zone is adopted as well as a free hit rule after a wide or no-ball, thus introducing one-day cricket style regulations.
Equipment
By following the game's rules, it is possible to play Inter Cricket using normal cricket equipment. In order to enliven the game, however, new-style equipment has been produced in conjunction with Slazenger (see above), and will be made available from September 2000. A set of equipment will cost in the region of £100, although the ECB plans to subsidise equipment packs for those most in need.
Flicx Pitch
The ECB is also to endorse a revolutionary mobile plastic cricket pitch, called the Flicx pitch. Whilst the majority of softball cricket will not take place on Flicx pitches, their use will enable Kwik Cricket and Inter Cricket to be played in areas previously deemed unsuitable for any form of the game.
Developed for township use in South Africa, the Flicx pitch has been introduced to the U.K. by cricket equipment manufacturer Duncan Feamley. Fully mobile, it can therefore be transported amongst Secondary Schools, Primary Schools and local clubs to maximise use.
Whilst to buy a pitch would cost £1,500, through sponsorship from NatWest and subject to lottery funding, the ECB plans to donate a minimum of 400 pitches over the next three years to the most needy areas.
More information regarding this sponsorship will arrive in due course.
Schedule for implementation of Inter Cricket
May 2000 40 Inter Cricket kits available for pilot schemes. June 2000 10,000 Inter Cricket Rule Books for distribution via County Development Officers (CD0s) / County Boards. September 2000 Inter Cricket kits generally available for purchase. September 2000 260 kits and 1,000 balls available to CD0s and County Boards for general distribution. September 2000 Inter Cricket featured in ECB's Secondary Schools CD-ROM educational resource packs. 5,000 copies available for distribution via CD0s (further information in enclosed education press release). Autumn 2000 Launch of an indoor competition for Secondary Schools. Competition to start on regional basis, then expanded nationally. 2001 onwards Expansion of Secondary Schools indoor competition. 2001 onwards Addition of outdoor competitions for Secondary Schools and Primary Schools.