Category: CRICKET
Q&A WITH CRICKET SPONSORSHIP WINNER
CONGRATULATIONS BRADLEY VAN TWEST
We received a huge number of entries from cricketers wanting to win our cricket sponsorship package. The top six entrants, as judged by Sportsmart’s management team, were posted online for public voting. All our finalists received a lot of support, though Bradley received the most votes. Thanks to everyone who entered – we were impressed by the quality of all the entries and wish everyone the best with their cricket season.
As the winner of Sportsmart and Kookaburra’s sponsorship program, Bradley will take home these great products to help him play at his best this season:
- 2 X FOOTWEAR OF CHOICE
- MASURI HELMET
- KOOKABURRA BAT PADS
- KOOKABURRA CRICKET GLOVES
- KOOKABURRA CRICKET BAG
- SPORTSMART CRICKET SHIRT
Bradley has also earned a $200 Sportsmart Club Advantage voucher for his club, to spend on cricket gear in store.
As part of the sponsorship agreement, Bradley will be contributing articles and product reviews to the Sportsmart blog, to help advise and entertain other cricket players and blog readers, so keep an eye out for his articles!
Here’s a quick Q&A with Bradley, from his initial competition entry.
Club: Lyndale Cricket Club
Cricket achievements: I have been selected for local and regional squads (5 straight years) as well as captaining St. John’s Regional College, averaging over 100 with the bat in the S.I.S tournament.
THE CRICKET SALE 2010
Cheltenham 3192
(Off Keys Rd- between Warrigal & Chesterville Rds)
Melways 78 A9
WIN THE CHANCE TO BE A SPONSORED CRICKET PLAYER
CRICKET SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM, BROUGHT TO YOU BY SPORTSMART AND KOOKABURRA
One lucky cricketer will win this sponsorship package from Sportsmart and Kookaburra, to help them play at their best this season:
- 2 X FOOTWEAR OF CHOICE
- MASURI HELMET
- KOOKABURRA BAT PADS
- KOOKABURRA CRICKET GLOVES
- KOOKABURRA CRICKET BAG
- SPORTSMART CRICKET SHIRT
The winner of this cricket sponsorship package will be required to contribute articles and product reviews to the Sportsmart blog, to help advise and entertain other cricket players and blog readers.
ENTER NOW AT http://sportsmart.com.au/cricketsponsorship.php
CONGRATULATIONS JACK BLAIN
Congratulations to Jack Blain – winner of the Australian Cricket Society Encouragement Award, sponsored by Sportsmart.
As a prize to recognise this achievement, Jack selected a Kookaburra Kahuna Ricky Ponting Players cricket bat (RRP$700).
Congratulations Jack!
CRICKET PNG & SPORTSMART
Question: Which country holds the record of the highest score in an international one-day cricket match?
Answer: Papua New Guinea (572/7 against New Caledonia in 2007).
Sportsmart recently had the privilege of donating equipment worth more than $2500 to the Papua New Guinea cricket board for its development program. Sportsmart also supplied performance training equipment for the new performance training centre in Port Moresby as well as cricket shoes to the national Under 19 side to help them prepare for upcoming international tournaments.
Cricket PNG employs full-time staff to manage the development of cricket in PNG (with Andy Bichel now joining up as head coach of the national side). Bill Leane from Victoria (also a customer of Sportsmart and The Cricket Sale) was recently appointed to the role of overseeing the development of cricket in PNG as General Manager of the Papua New Guinea Cricket Board – the official governing body of the sport of cricket in PNG.
A bit of history: The game of cricket was first introduced into PNG in the late 1800s when played by missionaries, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that Cricket PNG was recognised on the international stage when it became an associate member of the ICC in 1973.
Cricket in rural areas tended to be played mostly by the indigenous population, while in urban areas such as Port Moresby the game was played mostly by British and Australian expatriates, and a competition for clubs in the city was started in 1937. A team of nine expatriate and two indigenous players played in Papua New Guinea’s first international, against Australia in 1972.
Cricket PNG is now one of the strongest countries in the ICC East Asia region, and internationally is currently ranked 23rd in men (ICC ranking) and 12th in Under 19s. The women’s side is ranked 15th in the world.
Like other developing sporting nations, Cricket PNG’s aspirations are hampered by lack of funds to provide equipment (especially to rural areas) to develop the sport nationally. If any individual or cricket club would like to donate good-quality equipment to Cricket PNG, please contact Gerrard Woods (gerrard.woods@sportsmart.com.au).
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CRICKET BAT
Sportsmart Northcote Manager, Tom Kilpatrick
I have played cricket for more than 15 years and have worked in the area for a number of years as well. I like to think cricketers come into Sportsmart because they know that they will get very good value for money, excellent service and great advice.
Here are some of the things to consider before choosing a cricket bat…
What type of ball am I using?
If using a tennis ball or any non-leather ball, a Kashmir willow will be fine. Although it is less durable and heavier, it is also cheaper option. If using a leather ball, English willow is the preferred choice as it is more durable, provides better rebound and is a lighter willow.
What size of bat is right for me?
An adult uses a Short Handle or Long Blade, depending on their height. Basically, it comes down to what’s comfortable and one’s stance at the crease. When choosing a junior cricket bat, it depends on height and age. A general rule is to halve the child’s age to find their size.
How do I know if the cricket bat is the correct weight for me?
The weight of a bat can be chosen to suit your age, strength and style of play. For example, a very strong adult may prefer a bat weighing around 3 pounds, whereas a 12-year-old boy would benefit more from a bat weighing 2 pounds. The best way to tell if a bat is the correct weight for you is to hold it out in front at shoulder level in one hand in the middle of the grip; if you can hold it this way for 10 seconds then it is not too heavy.
For any questions on how to choose a cricket bat, which ranges we stock and how to prepare your bat, don’t hesitate to call any of our stores and ask for the cricket department.
CRICKET TRAINING TIP: FITNESS
Cricket can be a deceivingly physically demanding sport as players can spend a whole day out in the field/batting/bowling and this is usually in warm, hot or humid conditions. Although there are no long, continuous periods of running or moving during the game, it can last a whole day and so endurance plays a vital factor in performance. Along with this there are periods of short, sharp, high intensity movements, such as bowling and bowling run up, sprinting while batting, screamers and sprinting to chase a ball. Therefore players need to focus on both aerobic and anaerobic training, which will increase base fitness and thus have a greater impact on them reaching their full potential.
Aerobic exercises:
- Players should include some continuous running in their training sessions. This could include running laps for a warm up, as well as in between certain activities and exercises (skills, batting, bowling and catching drills).
Anaerobic exercises:
- Fielding/sprinting drill: One player has a bat and ball, while the other players spread out around the field. The person with the bat hits the bal all around the field and whoever is the closest has to sprint and chase it and then throw it back to the batter. This drill can also be used as a ‘screamer’ drill. Batter hits the ball up high and off the mark so that the fielder has to sprint to the ball and catch it. If the player drops the ball then they have to complete one lap of the oval (incorporating cardio).
- Sprints with a cricket bat: Set up a distance the same as the crease. Complete 10 x sprint with bat in hand.
- Accelerating sprints: Set up cones covering a distance of 100m. Starting at one end, gradually accelerate to reach full speed at the halfway point and continue to sprint to the end. Slow down gradually to a jog, turn and walk/jog back to the start. Repeat.
- Alternating starts: Set up cones covering a 20m distance. The aim of this exercise is to get out as fast as possible and build up as much speed as you can within 20m. To add variety, mix up the start as much as possible. Eg. begin jogging on the spot, or lying down on your back/stomach, or perform push-ups or squats before taking off.
Personal trainer, Tavia Ambler
(www.taviastraining.com.au)
Sportsmart: Official supplier of the JATA Rolling Shield Twenty 20 Tournament
SPORTSMART AND JATA SPORTS JOIN FORCES FOR CRICKET TOURNAMENT
The JATA Rolling Shield Twenty 20 Tournament unites fans of the great game of cricket, and this year Sportsmart will be right there with the players.
Sportsmart is now the official supplier of the JATA Rolling Shield – Australia’s largest every Twenty 20 cricket tournament, with more than 100 teams competing for a total of $20,000 in prize money. Sportsmart is supplying cricket balls, team uniforms, equipment such as stumps, and welcome packs for all the teams.
After the success of the inaugural season in 2008, the 2009 competition is already generating excitement from cricket fans across Victoria. Running from 1st November to 24th January, each team is guaranteed four games, with a knockout format to follow which ultimately decides the winning team.
But it’s not all about winning. Sportsmart is a strong believer in participation – getting out there and giving it a go, getting active, being part of a team and just simply enjoying the game that holds such a special place as part of our national culture.
To celebrate this philosophy and share our passion for sport, Sportsmart is putting together a ‘Dream Team’, made up of 16 players from across Melbourne, to compete in the tournament. For a chance to be part of the Sportsmart Dream Team, visit Sportsmart’s Facebook page and post a message on our wall about why you want to be part of the team. The first 10 people to post their message will win a place in the team and get an official Sportsmart Twenty 20 uniform and a $50 Sportsmart voucher.
More details on the tournament at http://www.jatasports.com.au
CHOOSING JUNIOR CRICKET EQUIPMENT
Sportsmart Northcote Manager, Tom Kilpatrick
Q. Why is it so important to choose the correct junior cricket equipment?
Children learn many skills and techniques early on in their sports development that they will keep through their playing days. If the cricket equipment they use is not right for them, their technique development will be poor. This could mean the difference between a future Australian cricketer or not.
Q. So, how do you size up a junior cricketer?
Firstly, the most important piece of equipment is the cricket bat. Too often kids come in and see a (senior-sized) bat that they love that is just too big for them. These bats are too heavy and too long for younger cricketers. At Sportsmart, our staff will size up the junior cricketer for the correct size bat. We check the length of the bat by making sure that it comes to the child’s wrist when standing up straight. We check the weight by getting the child to hold the bat by the end of the handle in their less dominant hand. This process is great for parents to know too – the senior-sized bats children may initially wish to get come with senior-sized price tags. Not only are junior bats made at the correct size for children, they are also much more affordable.
Q. What kind of questions do you get asked about the cricket bats?
Often, we get asked whether the child can ‘grow into’ the bat. Obviously, children grow – it is almost certain that a child will grow out of a bat at some stage. It is vital that children never play with a bat that is too big for them. It is far better to choose the correct size in a cheaper bat that can then be replaced when the child outgrows it than a more expensive bat that the child will have to use for multiple seasons.
Q. Why are some cricket bats cheaper?
It has to do with the quality (grade) and type of willow (wood) used to make the bat. Most senior bats (and some more expensive junior bats) are made from English Willow. English Willow is a soft wood that provides great rebound off the bat. However, being so soft, these bats take a great deal of care and maintenance during their lifetime. They need to be prepared carefully prior to use (see our article on how to prepare a bat). English Willow is then graded into four grades, with the better grades being more balanced and providing more rebound from the blade. Junior bats are commonly made from Kashmir willow. This willow is naturally harder and more suited to the realities of what a junior cricket bat needs to be – that is, hard-wearing and less expensive.
blog.sportsmart.com.au 