Switch-Hit Showdown ISBN 9780143782230
Double Delivery ISBN 9780143782193
Captains’ Clash ISBN 9780143782216
Bowling Blitz ISBN 9780143782254
What is Big Bash League you might
wonder? Chances are that you are not a huge fan of cricket, for BBL has many
followers (see http://www.bigbash.com.au) Australian author Panckridge
who has already produced some child-friendly sporting books, has his finger on
the pulse with a new series of novels suitable for readers 8 to 12 years which
tells stories of cricket-loving kids. In the first, Double Delivery, both boys are featured in games that take place in
a Queensland oval with cricket-mad twins Millie and Maggie wanting to join in.
But of course there’s reluctance with a ‘boys-only’ mentality. Meanwhile, in
the caravan park where the twins are staying, things are disappearing, so this
book based on cricket games, also serves as a mystery tale.
Switch-Hit Showdown is set in Melbourne with a Renegades fan, Barney,
meeting his match in a game against a team, headed by Fifi, which blitzes his.
Before the grand final, however, it seems a spy mission is in order. 
In Bowling Blitz, talented fast-bowler, Jimmy and his sister Izzy,
having just moved from Perth to Adelaide, are huge BBL fans. But Jimmy’s not so
fussed about being an Adelaide Strikers supporter. As in the other Big Bash
League titles, there is more than just cricket happening: Jimmy has a problem
with a kid and his dad from a neighbouring cricket club who are trying to poach
him.
The last of these four titles, Captains’ Clash, is set in Sydney, where
Fletcher, Jana and their mates are counting down to a full T20 match --their
greatest cricket game ever. But brother and sister and their mates first need
to settle a score with another team.With decent-sized typeface,
chapter headings and illustrations, these stories are easy-to-read and
fast-paced, and offer good reading especially to reluctant readers, both boys
and girls. For cricket fans the publisher has included notes at the back of
each book which offer all-round tips (such as getting fit, good techniques and
practice) and bowling tips (grip, run-up (follow-through and so on). There is
also in each of the books, depending where the story is set, there are
statistics about local clubs: the Perth Scorcher fans, for instance, can read
about results, records, team players, strike rates and more.
It’s great to see books – and a
sport – which includes both males and females participating. The series ought
to do well this summer!
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