Coach's Guide to Cricket Australia Junior Pace Bowling Under 11-Under 19 2026/27

Before a bowler returns for another spell, the same number of overs must have been bowled from the same end as their completed spell.

For example, a 14-year-old who bowled a 5-over spell should wait until 5 more overs have been bowled from that end (10 overs in the match in total). Cricket Australia notes this is likely to take about 30 minutes.

At training, allow at least 20 minutes between spells.

Training and matches both count as bowling days.

• Allow at least 20 minutes between spells at training.
• If matches already fill a bowler's weekly bowling days, remove training bowling sessions.

Cricket Australia says a gradual build-up usually takes more than 10 weeks, and bowlers should be close to expected match volumes by the end of it. Within that, the guidelines list this period of gradual bowling before the season or a tournament:

Cricket Australia's guidelines set recovery at three levels:

• Within a session: at least 20 minutes between spells at training, or the match rest rule (rest between spells).
• Across a week: avoid consecutive bowling days where possible, and keep to the weekly bowling-day limit for the age group.
• Across a season:
  • Plan one light bowling week every 4 to 6 weeks (for example a 5-day deload by removing bowling sessions).
  • Take a full week off bowling (7 to 10 days) every 10 to 12 weeks of bowling.
  • Take a longer break of about 3 months at the end of the season, then rebuild in pre-season by age.

From Cricket Australia's guidelines:

• Consecutive match days in tournaments and club cricket are recognised. Bowlers should still aim for no more than 3 bowling days a week and keep to the spell limits.
• Under-17 bowlers may occasionally bowl on consecutive days, for example when playing up, but should balance the week with a non-bowling training session.
• If there are multiple matches in a week, remove training bowling sessions and maximise recovery between match days. A young bowler may need to miss a game.
• Coaches should consider a bowler's total workload across all the teams they play for.
• Training and matches both count as bowling days towards the weekly limit.

Cricket Australia says some bowlers need more recovery than their peers and may need limits modified further. This includes bowlers who:

• have a known history of lumbar bone stress injury,
• have recently gone through a rapid growth period, or
• are taller and/or bowl faster than their peers.

The guidelines recommend these bowlers consult a medical professional experienced in managing lumbar bone stress injury to inform their programme. Teenage pace bowlers are described as being at the highest risk.

Cricket Australia strongly recommends that a junior bowler with lower back pain when bowling stops bowling and sees a sports doctor or physiotherapist with experience in lumbar bone stress injury before bowling again.

Lumbar bone stress injury (LBSI) can develop gradually, without early pain, and can interrupt a young bowler's development and require long breaks from bowling.