Indoor season heats up in Sydney

Cricket is once again heading inside this winter with Australia hoping to continue their unbelievable dominance over the indoor format at the upcoming National Championships.

Cricket Australia will host three state Indoor tournaments with the National Masters beginning today in Sydney before Australia have a chance to continue their near-perfect run at the world's level in the World Junior Series in September.

Australia have won the most Indoor Cricket World titles across every age group, embedding one of the most dominant runs in sporting history.

Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager of Game and Market Development, Andrew Ingleton said Indoor Cricket was a platform for players of all ages to compete at an elite level.

“One of indoor cricket’s most important features is that it provides an opportunity for players of all ages to be involved with the game and go on to represent their state,” Mr Ingleton said.

Mr Ingleton also cited the game’s impact on the one per cent of all cricket participants with an intellectual disability.

“Through the Lord’s Taverners Shield, indoor cricket also provides a chance for those with an intellectual disability to participate and compete at national championship level and plays a big role in our efforts to make cricket a sport for all Australians.

The Australian Masters Championships will be contested across five men’s age divisions (over 30, 35, 40, 45 & 50) with Queensland the dominant team – winning four of five groups in 2014.

Video: Aussie team players who began with Indoor

“Some of Australia’s greatest cricketers, including Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting, Steve and Mark Waugh, Steve Smith, Aaron Finch, Ryan Harris, Belinda Clark, Cathryn Fitzpatrick and Sarah Coyte have played indoor cricket as part of their cricket development.

Indoor Cricket has a cult following with over 165,000 players opting for the inside edition of Australia’s most played sport.

To follow the progress of the 2015 National Indoor Cricket Championships visit www.indoor.cricket.com.au and join in the Twitter conversation @CA_Indoor