Australian stars Josh Hazlewood, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland and Tanveer Sangha helped launch Cricket Australia’s 2026 Play Cricket Week at Government House in Sydney this morning.
Play Cricket Week encourages young players across the country with all levels of experience and ability to sign up and play during the 2026-27 season.
On Monday, players joined Woolworths Cricket Blast participants, Junior cricketers, parents and volunteers for fun games on the lawns of Government House to launch Play Cricket Week.
Following last year’s recording-breaking summer for kids’ participation, when more than 150,000 5–12-year-olds registered, Cricket Australia is looking forward to another big summer for kids enjoying Woolworths Cricket Blast, Junior Cricket and Smash Series Cricket.
A Summer Like No Other starts with Play Cricket Week. With special activities planned in each state and territory, kids can join the action from 31 August and register today at play.cricket.com.au
James Allsopp, Cricket Australia Chief of Cricket, said:
“We would love to see more kids playing and loving cricket and Play Cricket Week is always a fantastic celebration and a great way to encourage registrations for the upcoming season.
“It’s a privilege to be able to launch the week with a special event at Government House in Sydney and see all the fun and joy cricket brings people of all ages.
“Local volunteers and officials are the heart of community cricket and Play Cricket Week is a great time to sign up as a coach, umpire or volunteer at your local club.
“To coaches, in particular, you play such a critical role in ensuring players have great experiences and develop the skills needed to contribute to their team, and with the launch of Coach360 and our modernized approach to coach development we are investing in supporting your coaching practice like never before.
“Now, as much as ever, local cricket clubs are fantastic places to build a sense of community and belonging through our shared love of Australia’s national sport.
“With the NRMA Insurance Northern Australia Series just completed, and a summer like no other ahead for our Men’s and Women’s International and Domestic teams, there is real excitement building for what will be a fantastic summer for everyone playing, organising, officiating and watching cricket throughout Australia.”
