The new Cricket Australia program reduces the number of players on the field and has shorter pitch lengths and boundary sizes, as well as changes to more appropriately-sized equipment.

Cricket Australia’s aim for the new format is to ensure every young player can experience the game in a way that works with their age and physical development.

Each age group starting from under-11 through to under-15 features varying format changes.

The Bendigo District Cricket Association, Cricket Albury Wodonga and Western Region Junior Cricket Association are the three Victorian competitions that will participate in the pilot format in its first year, while across the country 17 associations will be involved.

“It’s very exciting that the Bendigo District Cricket Association has been identified by Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria as a progressive and proactive association with the capacity and openness to adopt these revised formats,” Cricket Victoria pathway, club and competitions development manager Scott Tutton said on Wednesday.

“The BDCA board has been very supportive of the pilot and all 13 clubs voted unanimously to support the pilot of the new formats, which is very encouraging.

“By participating in the pilot, it’s a great opportunity for Bendigo junior cricketers to be among the first in the country to trial the revised formats.

“We are confident that the new playing conditions will create more fun and engaging games and allow for great skill development, ultimately leading to more boys and girls wanting to play our game.”

The trial will only impact on the BDCA’s under-12 and under-14 grades, as well as the newly-created under-11 competition that has been introduced in the wake of the successful T20 Blast, in which Bendigo last season had the second largest number of participants in Australia with more than 200.

The BDCA’s Milo In2Cricket and Milo T20 Blast programs, plus the under-16 competition, will remain as is.

“It’s a feather in the cap for the BDCA to be asked to be part of the pilot program,” BDCA president Wayne Walsh said.

“We’ve engaged the clubs and all 13 of our junior clubs have agreed to try it. It’s all about bringing young players into cricket and maintaining them.”

Cricket Australia will address all BDCA clubs ahead of the trial.

The changes to the impacted BDCA competitions include:

Under-11s:

Overs per team – 20.

Pitch length – 15m.

Number of players – 7.

Boundary – 30-35m.

Ball size – Modified.

Under-12s:

Overs per team – 20 or 30.

Pitch length – 16m.

Number of players – 9.

Boundary – 35-40m.

Ball size – 142 gms.

Under-14s:

Overs per team – 20 or 40.

Pitch length – 17.7m.

Number of players – 9.

Boundary – 40-45m.

Ball size – 142 gms.