Welcome to Howzat!, the free magazine from www.cricket-for-parents.com.

This issue explains about the new shoot out for Twenty20 cricket - the "super-over", shows how to develop your skills with pairs cricket, and explains a few ins and outs about buying a cricket helmet.

“Super-over” eliminator for ICC World Twenty20, 2009

Tied matches in the upcoming ICC World Twenty20 will be decided using a “super-over”. This was first tested successfully in a West Indies v New Zealand Twenty20 match in December 2008.

It works like this: if the scores are tied at the end of a match, each side nominates a mini team of three batsmen and one bowler. The mini teams play a match of one over per side, bowled by the opposition’s designated bowler. A team is all out if two wickets fall in the over. If the single over game is tied, the team losing fewest wickets is the winner; if wickets are equal, the highest number of sixes and then the highest number of fours are taken into account.

Is the super-over better than a bowl out? It’s certainly just as tense, but has more possibilities as every cricket skill is involved. However, it's still as much of a lottery as a penalty shoot out in soccer, and a dreadful way to lose a close game – ask Daniel Vettori, captain of the New Zealand team who lost the first super-over match to the West Indies. But, it has great entertainment value for the paying spectator, and has to be better than tossing a coin.

You can find out more about Twenty20 cricket at http://www.cricket-for-parents.com/twenty20.html

Developing your skills with Pairs Cricket

Pairs cricket is a variation of Kwik Cricket that's great for developing every cricket skill. It doesn’t have to be restricted to a cricket field, as the garden, beach or school yard are just as good. The picture shows a coach (C) bowling, six fielders (F) and two batsmen (B), but these can be varied to suit the occasion.

The batting side starts with a set score, perhaps 100. The batsmen work in pairs, and bat for a set number of overs. Every run scored adds to the starting score. If they lose a wicket, 5 runs are deducted and the batsmen change ends. After their four overs, the batsmen retire and the next pair takes over.

This can be developed into a full scale match between two sides of 8 players, one batting and one bowling. Each batting pair has 4 overs each, every fielder must bowl at least one over and a maximum of 4 in a 16 over match. Wides and no balls count as two runs for the batting side, but no extra balls are bowled.

Pairs cricket is especially good for junior players, as everyone in the team has a bat and a bowl. It’s also a big challenge for the scorers, who need a special scorecard to keep track of all the runs deducted or added to the conventional total. I can supply one of these if you’re interested.

You can find out more about cricket skills games at http://www.cricket-for-parents.com/cricket-skills.html

Buying a new cricket helmet

I’ve just had to replace my old helmet, and was amazed to discover the multiple features and different levels of sophistication that are now available. So, based on this experience, here’s my rough guide to buying a new cricket helmet.

There is a wide range in helmet prices, depending on quality and the number of features. But, while value for money is important, particularly for growing children, the key point is safety. There are now safety standards for cricket helmets, so look out for the standard that applies in your country. This is BS 7928:1998, Specification for Head Protectors for Cricketers, in the UK, and AS/NZS 4499.1:1997 in Australia/New Zealand.

The next most important factor after safety is ensuring a correct, firm fit – especially if you’re buying online. Most big manufacturers or cricket stores have online helmet size guides eg, Gunn & Moore, Gray Nicolls, or Barrington Sports. To measure your head size, start above the eyebrows, continue around just above the ears to the “bump” in the back of the head then back around. Remember that, in time, the internal padding will mould to the shape of your head. Look out for the helmet’s size adjusting mechanism – these range from foam inserts to adjustable internal straps, adjusting wheels or in some cases no adjustment at all.

Cricket helmets have either a polycarbonate or moulded carbon shell, and grille materials are either steel or titanium. The most expensive models are moulded carbon with a titanium grille, and are designed to withstand impact from genuinely fast bowling. But for me, the best model is a lightweight polycarbonate shell and steel grille construction with the right safety accreditation, comfortable lining, good ventilation, good vision and comfortable chinstrap. Helmets can be hot to wear, so ventilation is particularly important and especially so to prevent spectacles steaming up!

As with all cricket equipment, fitting and feel is very personal so consider trying it on before you buy. And if you’re buying online, its good to check that the seller has a suitable returns policy.

For more information on cricket equipment, visit http://www.cricket-for-parents.com/cricket-equipment.html

Until next time!

Best wishes,