NetsMatchTM

NetsMatch is a great game designed for cricket lovers who just want tohave fun ... without constantly chasing the ball ... or those who are serious about their technique. It is suitable for adults and children alike. And now... it is available for hire - great for corporate days when you are looking for something unique, ideal for cricket coaching camps and schools or fundraising events. 

All you need is a space to put it, prepared grass surface or we can include a Flicx portable pitch. We will do the rest. Click here for the dimensions of what area is required and the rules and ideals of the game are below. Packages can be found by clicking here.

5-a-side "Nets Match" - the concept and rules
This new concept was launched at the 2006 Festival - proudly sponsored by Bank of Queensland Bowral, together with Vale Engineering at Moss Vale and the Netmaker

1. Nets Match was created to provide a transportable, quickly assembled, compact and confined playing arena outdoors, one that requires fast action inside and allows for spectators to closely surround the action, without risk of injury.

2. The pitch is 15 metres long and can be an installed synthetic type (eg, Flix) or the net can be set up over an existing permanent wicket. The ball used is modified - Kanga for juniors and an "indoor cricket" type for seniors. The net's funnel design allows for left and right handed batsmen (see attached layout).

3. A match is complete in around 40-50 minutes, depending on the age group playing. Each side consists of 5 batsmen who each also rotate the bowling, delivering 3-ball overs. The only fielding positions are slips (off and/or leg side) and a keeper.

4. Each bowler delivers three 3-ball overs (total 15 overs for each side....a 30 over match).
For seniors, there is a time limit of 40 minutes, including allowing around 30 seconds for each batsman change-over. For juniors, the time-limit should be around 50 minutes per side.

Prior to starting each game, the two sides can set a time limit for each game and the runs penalty for each side not achieving that target

5. The batsman does not run. Runs are scored by hitting the wall of the net on the full (1 run), along the ground (2 runs), past the bowler (3) or by hitting strategically placed targets (carrying a sponsor's name) on the walls of the net (4 or 6 runs).

6. A batsman can be dismissed by being bowled, caught behind by the keeper or slipsmen or by the bowler, or by hitting one of four strategically placed "out-targets", set by the fielding side on the walls of the net. These out targets can be quickly moved to different locations on the net at the conclusion of each 3-ball over.

7. An umpire/scorer stands outside the net, about mid-pitch and needs only watch for no- balls, wides and clean catches. A wide or no-ball adds 2 runs to the batsman's score. If the ball hits the batsman's pads cleanly, he or she loses 2 runs. If no umpire/scorer is available, the next in line batsman plays the role.

8. As the batsman hits "runs" targets or "out" targets in the wall of the net, the fielders and batsman call the result to the umpire. It's an honour system. If in doubt, the umpire makes the call.

9. For every "out", the batsman has 4 runs deducted from his or her score. After 3 overs (9 balls), a batsman must retire.

The NetsMatch concept is the copyright of the Australian Festival of Cricket