Australian cricket will transform the junior game next summer, with children to play on shorter pitches, with smaller boundaries and fewer fielders.
Players will progress to full-sized pitches with 11 players in the field after two development stages for under 10-11s and under 12-13s.
While its advocates maintain the new formats improve skill levels plus player engagement and enjoyment, Jarrod Lyons, a junior official from Albury, recalled being sceptical when his team was included in a pilot program last summer.
He expected some parents and coaches would be similarly concerned but is adamant there were big benefits.
"There was a few of us who were traditionalists and we didn't want our game watered down," said Lyons.
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"While I was assured a lot of research had gone into it, I couldn't help but be dubious. I just hoped my kids wouldn't be wasting a season."
Lyons needed only one game to be won over.
"The shorter pitch encouraged the bowler to get the ball on the spot more often," he said.
"We were finding (on full length pitches) there were lots of wides and no balls in each over because kids struggled to get the ball to the other end.
"Shortening the distance made it so much easier.
"It's a better spectacle because the new system allows more fours and sixes to be hit, and that was reflected at our trophy presentation night because some lads had 300 runs under their belts - as opposed to the days when 10 or 15 might've been the top score [in a game]."
Cricket Australia's Belinda Clark, who oversaw the junior format pilots, said the changes would better prepare children to play in adult conditions.
