Six Australians to host MILO Cricket Superclinic in Darwin

Australia's world champion cricketers will be passing on the secrets of their success to children from three Darwin schools during the Top End Tour's MILO Cricket Superclinic on Tuesday 15 July.

Andy Bichel, Adam Gilchrist, Jason Gillespie, Justin Langer, Brett Lee and Brad Hogg will host 150 students from Durack, Casuarina Street and Nightcliff Primary Schools ahead of Australia's historic First 3 Test against Bangladesh at Marrara Oval from 18-22 July.

The three schools were selected to participate in the MILO Cricket Superclinic following a competition in local newspaper the Northern Territory News, which attracted a wide range of entries from across Darwin and its surrounds.

To be held from 1300-1500 at the Northern Territory Cricket Association's (NTCA) No 1 Oval, the MILO Cricket Superclinic will feature a variety of modified games and skill-building activities coordinated by several development officers from the NTCA.

Australian Test player and one-day international vice-captain Adam Gilchrist said the clinic was an ideal opportunity to help promote and develop cricket in the Northern Territory.

"This is the first time international cricket will be played in Darwin and it gives us a wonderful opportunity to meet some of the local kids and pass on some tips and knowledge," Gilchrist said.

"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."

The MILO Cricket Superclinics are part of Cricket Australia's junior development program, which takes the game to more than half a million young Australians each year.

They are part of the broad group of MILO Cricket programs which 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 per cent 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.

The Darwin clinic is one of eight MILO Cricket Superclinics taking place in each state and territory this year.