Cricket Australia yesterday launched its MILO in2CRICKET Mega Clinic program in Sydney as it prepared to welcome more children into the Australian cricket family.

120 Milo in2CRICKET children were joined by cricket superstars Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting, Ellyse Perry, Usman Khawaja and Rachel Haynes for the launch at Waverley Park.

More than 127,000 children participated in Milo in2CRICKET at their local club or school last summer, learning the core aspects and skills of cricket.

Minister for Sport Mark Arbib said the Milo in2CRICKET program was a great initiative that teaches children the skills of the game while also keeping children active.

‘The MILO in2CRICKET Program is a great way for young boys and girls to play the game of cricket for the first time in a fun, safe and healthy environment,’ Senator Arbib said.

‘It is great to see so many young girls and boys away from the television and learning the basic skills of cricket in a fun setting.

‘It is important that we keep developing Australia’s next crop of international cricketers and the in2CRICKET program is an important stepping stone in this process.’

The Australian Government provides Cricket Australia with more than $1.6 million in annual funding, with $1.1 million of this funding dedicated to sport participation.

Cricket Australia, through its partnership with MILO, has introduced 6 million Australian children to cricket and encouraged them to adopt a healthy lifestyle.