U11 county cricket trials

[AgathaMystery]

Wondering if anyone has any experience of their DC doing county trials? Mine have been selected for a trial & whilst we know it’s hard ball etc we don’t really know what to expect.

looking for any experiences please.

Anyone?!

Hi, our DC has attended county trials at u10s, u11s, u12s and this year at under u13s has been nominated to trial for two counties.

Children are required to bat and bowl while the coaches observe and take notes. It is very much like a club indoor net session lasting 90 minutes. Your DC may know some of the children also trialling.

From experience the coaches will have a general conversation with the children about their club, variations of balls they bowl, batting order etc. They expecting the children to be able to bowl and bat but except that they may be stronger at one than the other.

if there are two phases then phase 1 will be to eliminate those children who are not of the required standard. Our son has reached phase 2 on all occasions and I personally believe the trial actually takes place at phase 2. We always keep it low key with no pressure. Our son joined the performance pathway at u11s and has an excellent chance of getting one of two this year.

Some counties trial over a couple of weeks and some may or may not give feedback.

DD tried last year as an U10, the first few rounds were soft ball and very low key. We’d been told the girls didn’t need to have any previous experience of cricket and they were looking for children with the basic skills they could build on. DD turned out to be a natural batter and went through to the final round which was 2 or 3 weeks at a location about an hours drive from us. This stage was very much about hard ball and having never played before, this was all completely alien to her and she wasn’t selected. She enjoyed the process and learnt a lot, but if they’ve said they are looking for children with natural ability, I’d take it with a pinch of salt - it was very much the club cricketers who were selected.

Thanks that’s so helpful!

its 2 90 min sessions from what (very little) they have said. They have said it’s hardball which is fine - DC much better bowler than batter. Not club members (frankly DC & DH are sports obsessed & there hasn’t been time) so probably no chance - nomination came via school where DC is on the first team.

we will keep it low key. They will def know other kids there. Thanks all. I’ll update afterwards too so others know why to expect.

Update:

2hr long session in the baking heat. No shade despite dozens of gazebos everywhere - they kept the kids waiting in the sun. Weird. Anyway, they did a fielding warm up & then moved on to bowling & batting for an hr or so. It was quite relaxed & low key.

DC is through the the next stage which is a no parents allowed session later this month.