On Sunday, 60 talented young cricketers donned their whites to take part in the Sydney Cricket Club’s annual Junior Tigers Program.

The Academy, run by Elite Cricket Coaching for the Sydney Cricket Club, is designed to provide a pathway for the development, coaching and mentoring of talented young cricketers who will eventually see the Sydney Cricket Club as their home as they mature into Grade cricketers.

The program was launched in 2008/09 and head coach, Mark Atkinson has been delighted with the outcomes to date, “Happily I am able to report that 10 of the final 13 players selected for Green Shield in both 2008/09 and 2009/10 were Academy program graduates, of which 10 players have already progressed into grade cricket, including selections in the NSW U/17 squads, City U/16 representative teams and Tigers 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade teams.  Clearly, if talented young players are looking to progress into grade cricket and beyond, the Academy program represents not only a great stepping stone for their career but also an outstanding opportunity to develop their skills.  We are very hopeful of having our first Junior Tiger selected in 1st grade this season”

The program will include the appearance of some special guest coaches including former Blues legends Wayne ‘Cracker’ Holdsworth and David ‘Freddy’ Freedman who will share with the boys their views about succeeding in cricket and taking your game to the next level.

The program takes place over 6 sessions and will focus on teaching correct techniques, developing tactical awareness and game sense, injury prevention and preparation for competition and includes a fitness component where the boys will be put through a challenging routine to ensure they are fit and match ready for when the posts come down and cricket pitches reappear on the grounds.

More information please contact Mark Atkinson 0422 787 727

Pre-Season 2010 Fast Bowling enrolment form

Designed for fast and swing bowlers, the program is an ideal way to increase your skills and learn more about the art of fast bowling.

Headed by Wayne “Cracker” Holdsworth this intensive, structured program focuses on developing the correct technique to optimise performance and prevent injury featuring video analysis, a customised individual high performance strategy and comprehensive report

Pre-Season 2010 Spin Bowling enrolment form

Designed for cricketers who are showing an interest in the more specialised area of spin bowling, this program is an ideal way to increase your skills and learn more about the great game of cricket.

Headed by NSW Blues Coach David Freedman this intensive, structured program focuses on developing the correct technique to optimise performance and prevent injury featuring video analysis, a customised individual high performance strategy and comprehensive report.

Pre-Season 2010 Wicketkeeping enrolment form

A good wicketkeeper is critical to the success of any team. They need to be reliable, fit, skilful, tough and at times brilliant but this key position can often by occupied by the player who is, at times, a forgotten man at practice.  A good keeper can turn a game their team’s way with an outstanding catch, stumping or run-out and in order for a wicketkeeper to excel they must put in quality time and effort to work on all aspects of their game.

This intensive program is most suitable for aspiring wicketkeepers who have already had some experience in match play situations, covers all aspects of the art of wicketkeeping and leaves players feeling confident and ready for their best season behind the stumps.

Coached and designed by Mark Atkinson

Elite Cricket recently held a one day Boot Camp at Gladesville Indoor Centre.  Players were put through their paces throughout the day including having their bowling action filmed and analysed, net sessions, centre wicket scenarios, specialist spin, pace and wicketkkeping sessions and an individual batting session in the nets against the bowling machine.

The program was a great way for players to start thinking cricket and to gain a clear understanding of what aspects of their game need work before the season begins.  Boot Camps will be held once again in the October school holidays returning to our 2-day format – an intense day of training on the first day and 2 T20 matches on the final day of the program.

Cheers

Mark

Elite Cricket in conjunction with the Ryde Hunters Hill Pirates Cricket Club held a 2 day coaching program at Morrison Bay Park during the last week of the July School Holidays.  Players participated in a fun program of and skill appropriate development activities including bowling and batting sessions in the nets and modified games.

We were very pleased to welcome some players just beginning their cricketing career to our ‘On the Ball’ program which is suitable for players 5 to 7 years.

Elite Cricket and the Pirates will once again be holding a program in the October school holidays – all cricketers from all clubs are welcome.

Cheers

Mark

Elite Cricket and Cricket NSW welcomed guest coach NSW Speedblitz player Luke Doran to our 2 day program which was held for the first time at Liverpool Catholic Club.

Luke signed autographs, gave coaching tips then spent time in the nets and playing games with young cricketers from Sydney’s South West who had a great time at the program.

Thanks Luke.

Cheers

Mark

After a hectic day off yesterday, which included a visit to Crocosaurus, a walk around Darwin, 2 hours in the wave pool, buckets of balls at the driving range, putt putt, dinner out and the State of Origin, the boys were tired at days end!!!

Game 4 – Elite Cricket vs Darwin Bulls

Day 4 saw our fourth game vs the Darwin Bulls back at Marrara Number One.

Elite Cricket won the toss and decided to bat. After losing both openers early we staged a great partnership of 80 runs between Sam Pointer and Sam Evans which saw our 2 for 17 in the  6th over go to 2 for 97 in the 33rd. Sam Evans was caught just after he reached his 50 and Sam Pointer formed a valuable new partnership of 94 with James Dunn (42) and we finished with 201 four our 50 overs.

The Darwin Bulls started shakily and lost their openers early to good deliveries for Matthew Maittlen and Matthew Saleh. Their number 3 was a very capable batsmen who challenged the field before being ably caught and bowled by James Dunn. Louis Schirato claimed (another) fine stumping off Lachlan J Stewart who then followed up by completing a great run out.  The Bulls chased hard but in the end were halted in their charge to victory by a brilliant spell of bowling by Lachlan Hodson who claimed 3 for 25 for eight overs and some great catching from the redoubtable James Dunn and ever present Matthew Wilkins!

The side was once again well captained by Charlie Booth and ably supported (in no particular order) by the Schiratos, the Riddles and Steve Hodson, which has been fantastic for the boys!

Tomorrow sees us looking to maintain our unbeaten run in order to claim the championship!  Exciting stuff!  Well played boys!

Elite Cricket 201 – Pointer 69, Evans 50 and Dunn 42 defeated Darwin Bull 164 Hodson 3/25

Day 5 Darwin Cricket Festival

Game 5 – Elite Cricket XI vs Kormilda College

The last game of the tournament was played at the picturesque school ground adjacent to our accommodation at Kormilda College

We lost the toss and Kormilda elected to bat. The Kormilda team were younger than our boys but had a couple of gutsy batsmen in their ranks. Unfortunately one of their openers had to retire hurt in the 3rd over after a rising ball from Ben Riddle winded him. A great spell from Matthew Maittlen delivered an lbw in the second over to leave the score at 1 for 3. They scored at a very slow rate and their second wicket didn’t fall until the 22nd over when their number three batsman was bowled by Charlie Booth with the score now at 2 for 39. They hung in there to still have plenty of wickets and plenty of time at the 25 over half way mark. (2 for 41) The captain was concerned and the boys received some “no nonsense, no frills” advice from the coach along the lines of “….it’s up to you now boys – you know what to do – if you want to win this – do it!” The captain took up the mantle himself and in combination with Lachlan Hodson and James Dunn took the 8 remaining wickets and Kormilda were dismissed with 4 overs remaining for 62.

Matthew Wilkins and Louis Schirato opened our innings and the two batsmen made their intentions clear with some aggressive batting. Unfortunately this cost Matthew his wicket when he was on 10, to be replaced by Sam Evans. Louis and Sam quickly and efficiently went about passing the Kormilda total and did so in the sixteenth over.

Elite Cricket 1/63 defeated Kormilda College 10/62

Louis Schirato 33* Sam Evans 13*
C Booth 5/7 L Hodson 2/5

This victory left the Elite Cricket XI undefeated and therefore tournament champions. The presentation ceremony was held back at Marrara Oval where the captain having been presented with the winners trophy proceeded to call up the team individually to receive their medallions.

Three of our team Charlie Booth, Ben Riddle and Matthew Saleh were also selected in a Team of the Carnival XI from the tournament.

Cheers

Mark

Day 1

Game 1 – Elite Cricket vs Alice Springs

Elite Cricket won the toss and elected to bat. A great opening partnership of 73 by Lachlan A Stewart and Lachlan J Stewart which put the scorers into a spin! Sam Evans and Sam Pointer chipped in with a quick innings each and Matt Wilkins, James Dunn and Lachlan Hodson ably batted out our 50 overs for a score of 192. (actually it was 49 overs – unbelievably due to rain!!)

Our opening bowlers Ben Riddle and Matt Maittlen bowled tightly and Ben drew first blood in the 8th over (1 for 14). Matt dried up the runs and put on the pressure with 0 for 8 off  5. Spin was introduced with LJ Stewart and he picked up a wicket in his third over and a bowled a very miserly 10 overs  1 for10.

Our late call up Matt Saleh bowled a goodline and length and after his first spell of 5 overs was 2 for 5. The spinners were attacking at both ends when Charlie Booth took up the end with LJS annd finished with figures of 2 for 25 off his 10. James Dunn was in great form and picked up  a wicket 1 for 7 off 4 overs. Ben Riddle and Matt Saleh returned for a second spell, Ben finishing the day with 2 for 11 off 8 and Matt Saleh 3 for 15 off 7.

Fielding was tight to begin with and catches went to Dunn, LA Stewart and Matt Maittlen. Louis kept cleanly and picked up a catch and a stumping.

In summary the boys went really well on their first appearance as a team. Tomorrow we play Westfield Sports High in our first T20 which will be a good test for the team and we’re looking forward to the challenge. And if today is anything to go by the boys  will do well!

Final score: Elite Cricket 192 defeated Alice Springs 84

Day 2

Well it’s hard to imagine a more exciting and nerve wracking couple of games…

Game 2 – Elite Cricket vs Westfield Sports High School

The team from Westfield are mostly playing Green Shield and Grade. We always knew they were going to be extremely competitive – we just didn’t expect the game to unfold the way it did.

We lost the toss and our bowlers went well with Matt Maittlen bowling their opener in the fourth over, but by then they were on 18 (1 for 18). Not to be outdone Ben Riddle struck in the next over and had the batsman caught cleanly by Lachlan Hodson – (2 for 23). Things quietened down for a few overs and their batsmen put on another 40 runs before Sam Pointer took a good catch off Lachlan J Stewart. Next over Matthew Saleh had the batsmen caught at point by Louis Schirato – 4 for 71.  Sam Pointer had a direct hit to run out batsman number 5 then in the same over Matthew Saleh struck again with a catch to Ben Riddle. 6 for 81. Lachlan A Stewart took a fine stumping off the bowling of Charlie Booth and they finished their 20 overs at 108.

We started nervously and after 8 overs were 5 for 23! However thanks to some loose bowling by them (30 sundries!!) and a brilliant knock by Louis Schirato (40 not out) we were back in the game and looked to be a chance to chase down the runs. However it wasn’t to be and we finished with a total of 98. Heads were low and nails were chewed…

However…wait there’s more…….

The umpire penalised the Westfield team for slow overs. Under the 20/20 rules they were 2 overs behind at a penalty of 6 runs per over. And that’s 12 runs to us so the umpire awarded us the win!

Elite Cricket 110 defeated Westfield 108

L Schirato 40* M Wilkins 9
M Saleh 2/20 C Booth 1/8 LJ Stewart 1/14 M Maittlen 1/18 B Riddle 1/21

Game 3 – Elite Cricket vs Darwin Sharks

We lost the toss and the Darwin Sharks elected to bat. Our bowlers were on fire and after 6 overs we had them reeling at 5 for 28. Some fine fielding and more tight bowling had them all out for 58 in less than 15 overs.Sadly like many teams chasing a small total we lost the plot. They bowled well and we batted poorly – throwing away our wickets cheaply. After 8 overs we were 4 for 21 and thanks to a crucial partnership of Matt Wilkins with James Dunn, then some digging in by Lachlan J Stewart at the end we got across the line in the 18th over but we were 8 down!!

M Wilkins 15 J Dunn 12
B Riddle 3/9 C Booth 2/7 M Maittlen 2/18 LJ Stewart 1/20

Cheers

Mark