Confessions of a cricket going virgin.

By JO ABI

I had never been to a cricket game. I have three children and the thought of attending a cricket match never occurred to me. How un-Australian?

I was delighted by the opportunity to correct this (delighted might be too strong a word). Let’s say I was curious and the kids a little reluctant. I’m ashamed to say my son actually said, “What’s cricket” and “Who’s Michael Clarke?”

Even I know who Michael Clarke is. As one of the only cricketers I am familiar with, it was so fun to run into him on our way to our first BBL Cricket game at the SCG.

Dragging my kids behind me I introduced myself, shook his hand (firm, eye-contact, big smile, hello…) and had a photo taken that when straight to Facebook and to all the contacts I knew would be jealous. But the cool thing is that anyone wandering down to the SCG that day could have met him. It’s one of the things I love about Australian sportspeople – the majority of them are so friendly and accessible. My brother-in-law put it best. “He’s the best batsman in the whole world Jo.” Then we both fell silent in a moment of reverence that we’d gotten to meet him and he was such a top bloke.

Big Bash League Cricket can be described in one word – AWESOME! I know it is criticised for being a dodgy version of epic five-day test cricket or the games that go all day, but when you have children aged nine, eight and seven in tow, three hours is plenty. Add in wickets that actually light up when contact is made by a bat, ball, arm or leg and half-time fireworks and we were in heaven.

Not coming from a cricketing background we were completely new to the experience and turned up with open minds to watch our first cricket game. We ran into some friends from school on our way to our seats and absorbed the atmosphere. So many families and so many kids…hmm, we should do this more often!

The Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder – my niece chose to go for the Sixers because their uniform is bright

pink and the rest of us decided to go for Sydney Thunder because we were told they didn’t do well last year – yay for the underdog!

We are massive NRL fans and straight away my brother-in-law and I noted two things –cricket is a non-violent game, way more appropriate for our kids to watch and, there was no bleeding during the game, on the field or in the crowd.

I learned a lot during my first BBL game:

• Don’t ask who’s winning;
• Don’t applaud for the opposing side, no matter how great the hit/catch;
• Don’t say, “Who is Brett Lee” when someone excitedly whispers, “Look, Brett Lee’s bowling”.

“That was a pretty bad play,” I commented.

“It’s not easy as it looks,” someone shot back.

I definitely recommend a visit to the BBL Cricket. It’s such a fab day out for the family. A family pass for two adults and two children starts at around $42 and locations for upcoming games include ANZ Stadium, the SCG and Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide.

Major sponsor KFC is emblazoned everywhere so I highly recommend a run through the drive-through on the way home (why does take away taste so much better late at night?).

BBL Cricket is something all Australian families should experience. Your kids will love it.