The Junior Hundred is Cricket Arena’s annual outdoor windball festival for years 7–11 (ages 12–15). It’s quickfire, welcoming and gloriously noisy — a format built for confidence and connection as much as competition.
Who plays? Madrasah groups, youth clubs and grassroots sports clubs. What’s the ask? Turn up in your kit — we provide the rest. Entry is free, bats and balls are provided, and the 50‑ball innings means everyone’s involved.
Outdoor start, indoor finish
We set up on the outdoor 3G at Concord with Flicx 2G strips and two batting ends, turning the football pitch into a cricket square for the day. Families lined the cage, coaches sorted warm‑ups and the first boundaries came quickly. When the rain hit, the Concord team went beyond “host venue” — they checked availability, opened up the sports hall and helped us flip indoors at short notice. The switch wasn’t planned, but thanks to their quick thinking the tournament ran to time.
Runs on the board
Across six matches there was plenty to shout about: 748 runs, 54 wickets, an average first‑innings of 69, plus 15 sixes and 31 fours. The standout team performance came from Saalik Youth, whose top three all retired in a rapid 115/1. With ball in hand, Zaheer Abbas (3–2) and Sufyaan Tariq (2–16) were the difference.
The closest finish felt like a local derby: Masjid Umar vs Masjid Ghausia. Haleem Imran’s 26* (14) set a platform before Talha Hussain’s 3/9 tightened things up. Chasing 63, Abdullah Hussain and Isa Rasool kept their heads to get Ghausia home with five balls left.
Why it matters
Junior Hundred isn’t just a medal. It’s a friendly first step into competitive cricket — a place to try things, find your people and build confidence. Many players head into our MBL (Mini Bash League) next, and plenty make links with local clubs from there.
Thank you
To every coach, umpire and volunteer who kept things moving — thank you. Central Co‑op UK helped us keep entry free and kit ready for all. Sheffield City Trust made the venue affordable, and the Concord Sports Centre team went the extra mile to switch us indoors at short notice. Proper partners.
In the final table, Saalik Youth finished top on points and net run rate, with Handsworth Sporting Club close behind. Well played to all four squads.
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