Everyone having a blast at junior cricket

The Narrabri District Cricket Association blasters aged four-years-old and up are taking to cricket like ducks to water.

So far they have learned to field a loose ball, run between stumps and keep their eye on a moving ball, keep up the great work.

NDJCA would like to thank our parent helpers for rolling up their sleeves and jumping into all the activities to assist with their children’s skill development.

We have been fortunate enough to secure a regular facilitator for the coming weeks, however, we would still love to see parents out on the field helping their kids, your input is extremely valuable.

After blasters our graduates move up to the under-9s and onto a real cricket pitch where they are faced with the challenge of bowling its length in one bounce and batting in a real game situation.

While players rotate through batting and bowling, our coaches and managers correct and adjust bowling styles, batting grip and stances, developing each junior cricketer’s skill set.

Archie Greenaway, Fred Ferris and Charlie Croker were just some of the keen kids who took long run ups and sent the ball flying down the pitch.

Some solid contact was then made by Angus Irwin, Coen Harris and Hamish Mason with the bat.

They sent the red cherry flying into the field.

Well done to all who came and braved the blustery day.

Thank you to our managers and coaches for organising teams and exercising great patience and encouraging sportsmanship.

Our under-11s teams are locked in and the competition has begun.

While some of our players were missing in action, other players left their skill session to help field and fill in.

The Scorchers took on the Stars which turned out to be an absolute thriller right down to the last ball.

After the coin toss, Scorchers nominated to pad up, thinking it was a batter’s pitch.

Kyne Allen and Gabriel O’Connor turned out to be a formidable force, opening the batting and retiring on 21 and 20 runs respectively.

Other noteworthy batsmen were Campbell Leslie on nine and Asan Asad on 10.

The Scorchers finished on a respectable 106.

Muscling up the courage to face the hot sun, horrific dust and winds, the Stars took up the challenge.

Will Clarke advanced confidently out to the middle and completed his mission by reaching his maximum of 22 runs.

He was partnered by Brock Allen who was unfortunately bowled out on seven.

Colby Cowan also contributed a very respectable and unbeaten 15 runs.

Finally the time came when the last ball was hurled down the pitch.

However, batters Gus Ford and Baxter Dalton finished the game with a team total of 107, a one-run victory on the last ball to the Stars.

Well done to all our bowlers for persisting with determination against the very strong winds and thick dust.

The first of many open grade face-offs took place on Saturday as the Strikers stirred up the Hurricanes.

This whirlwind match was close, with the day favouring Strikers 92-87.

It was anyone’s game, the openers strode out to mark their territory and settle in for the duration.

Young gentlemen on both sides, and a young lady, kept their spirits up through hefty dust and unwavering wind by exchanging healthy banter among mates.

Sanchit Jagedeeson was particularly impressive, bowling 1-3 off four overs.

Equally spectacular was Alistair Wheeler with 1-1 off two overs.

The batsmen provided some big hits for the crowd with a plethora of boundary shots and Jonty Fowler even managed to slog a six.

Hurricanes runs were largely provided by Jonty (28), Clay Hoffman (13), and for the opposing Strikers DJ Allen (31) and Bernard O’Connor (47).

The players and committee are extremely grateful to the commitment of our volunteers and nominated coaches, managers and scorers.

The day ran smoothly across all grades and we look forward to seeing everyone again this coming weekend.