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[ProCricketer1982]

Doesn't it all boil down to the quality of the coaching? Yes if a coach just does it pretty much by the book or just assess players on how 'text book' they are then that (In my opinion) is a bad thing.

If however a coach works with player x's ability and just helps them improve without removing their natural talents and judges them on their individual ability rather than 'who looks most like a batsmen' then that will in theory produce not just naturally talented players but also give them the basic techniques for high level cricket.

Not saying it would work but that's how i'd go about it. It does frustrate me when you listen to parents and coaches/capts laud said youngster because they 'have great technique', they then get all the top batting slots etc.. Poor young lad (or adult!!) who has far more ability to hit a ball but maybe just doesn't look as good gets left to 'slog it out' down the order and so hampers them in the long run.

[Colesy]

My brother's just turned 7 and plays other sports like tennis, rugby, football etc so he's pretty active and has a good eye. I've tried to coach him etc but he's at an age where he wants to just do it rather than be coached. He can't bowl at all, but batting wise he smashes it so it's best just to leave his batting for a bit and just have fun.

As for why less kids play it outside in their own time, PS3s, Xbox, laptops, iPods, iPads, weather.

[mini998]

Interesting topic.
I myself come from Sri Lanka and  now live here in UK .I think there are good and bad points in both ways .

Yes in subcontinent( in my experience in Sri Lanka) kids play lot of softball cricket all the time , grounds ,streets, backyards, inside the house , inside the class room , And I have even played cricket inside a bus once . Players like Malinga ,Jayasuriya are players who have come across from backgrounds like this , obviously there are very minimal coaching in this level people so people pick up lot of  'Bad habits' (for better or worse).
Bad thing is ,if you aren't naturally talented then you will not get a chance to play in the school/club cricket. There aren't any opportunity for a average player to even practice with leather ball cricket to improve their skills.

I believe there are people with natural talent and also there are people who are not naturally talented but  have to practice hard and get to the same or close enough level. In UK this can be done , there are proper structure to support players like that .