National Cricket Census indicates cricket in Australia is prospering... for now.

Whether it be in the school yard, at the local park, or on one of the thousands of cricket ovals across Australia, research issued today shows that cricket is thriving in Australia.

Cricket Australia today released the results of its National Cricket Census for the 2002-03 season, highlighting that participation in cricket is strong throughout all age brackets, and is being played by men and women, boys and girls in cities, suburbs and townships right throughout Australia.

But Cricket Australia warned that cricket fans can't expect Australia to remain the number one cricket nation in the world unless today's children become more physically active.

"Today's cricket Census figures are encouraging, but we already know we have a major challenge to keep the figures as good or better over the next decade," said James Sutherland, Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer.

"Cricket's major battle is not winning the next Test or One Day International series, our major challenge is overcoming inactivity amongst children, encouraging schools to keep playing cricket, having councils support more community cricket initiatives, ensuring more girls play cricket and helping make cricket accessible to indigenous and minority groups.

"Australia has a proud tradition of excellence in sport. However, our next generation of sports heroes will be much harder to find unless today's children become more physically active and we tackle the very real issue of childhood obesity.

"In a cricketing context, this means that the Stephen Waughs, Ricky Pontings and Adam Gilchrists of tomorrow will be much harder to find unless we address these issues. It is certainly a concern for cricket and for sports-lovers in general," said Mr Sutherland.

Mr Sutherland also said that it is critical for Cricket Australia to understand who its customers are.

"The Census provides a thorough insight into the demographics of Australian cricket," said Mr Sutherland.

"We are keenly interested in learning exactly who is picking up a bat and ball, and in what format they are playing the game.

"The information provided by the Census enables us to be more strategic in our planning, and gives us an in-depth analysis of exactly who is playing cricket in Australia.

"From this information, we can analyse cricket participation in specific regions and tailor our local programs accordingly. For example, statistics show us which regions need more coach education programs, which require more empahsis in schools, and where our indigenous cricket programs will have the greatest impact.

"Without the level of detail the Census provides, we would only be second guessing this type of information.

"Cricket is entrenched in the Australian culture and is the nation's main summer sport, not only in terms of participants, but spectators, media coverage, and its contribution to the economy as well. The Census results will be used to help ensure that cricket remains on top," said Mr Sutherland.

The results of the Census show that there were 436,325 participants in Australian cricket competitions and programs in 2002-03. 'Participants' are defined as playing a minimum of four matches in the one season.

Of these participants, 395,880 (90.7%) were males and 40,445 (9.3%) participants were females. 210,436 (48.23%) were playing in country Australia while 225,889 (51.77%) were playing in metropolitan-based competitions and programs.

Mr Sutherland said that whilst cricket census projects had been completed in the past, the current Census' methodology has incorporated various checks and measures to ensure the validity of its results.

"The total participation figure of 436,325 is a reduction of approximately 60,000 on the 2001-02 Census, however, the assumptions made on double counting and also the definition of a 'participant', having to play a minimum of four matches, has contributed to this differential," said Mr Sutherland.

"Our definition of a cricket 'participant' represents a fairly conservative figure on the total number of people who actually play cricket in any given year. If we were to include the amount of families who play cricket at the beach, in the back yard or have the traditional game of cricket on Christmas day, the figures would increase tenfold!

"In addition, Cricket Australia - through its state and territory associations - runs school cricket clinics and activities for more than 400,000 children each year.

"It is very pleasing to see that cricket participation spans all age brackets, right from MILO Have-A-Go programs and MILO Kanga Cricket to veterans competitions and club cricket. The results highlight that cricket is our most popular - and truly national - sport.

"Participation in regional areas of Australia is also particularly strong, which is reflected in the make-up of our national squad. Players such as Glenn McGrath, Matthew Hayden, Darren Lehmann, Brad Hogg, Jimmy Maher and Ian Harvey all have been introduced to the game in country Australia.

"We're also encouraged by women's participation results. The Australian Women's cricket team, the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars, have been outstanding ambassadors for the game, and it is great to have a growing number of women involved in what has traditionally been a male sport," said Mr Sutherland.

"Cricket Australia - and our affiliated state and territory associations - is committed to implementing long-term programs for the enhancement of Australian cricket. The Census is an invaluable tool in helping us structure relevant programs for our existing markets, design specific strategies and to allocate resources more appropriately for new or developing markets.

"As the Census progresses in future years we will have the ability to make relevant comparisons and more accurately measure the success of programs, strategies and resource allocation," said Mr Sutherland.

The following table provides a breakdown of these figures in more detail: