Purpose:
The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the effects of a 4-week field-based intervention program (CricFit) on general fitness, with the program designed to reflect the demands of the game in an adolescent population.

Methods:
The total of 28 schoolboy cricketers (aged 15–19 years) were assigned to either a control (n = 14) or experimental (n = 14) group. Both groups performed traditional net and field-based training over a 4-week period (one net- and one field-based session), with the experimental group executing 2 additional 35–45-minute conditioning sessions per week. Prior to and post the 4-week period, measures were recorded with a test battery that was specific to the movement demands associated with intermittent sports.

Results:
Both groups showed significant (p < 0.05) improvements in most responses, but the changes for the experimental group were greater than those shown in the control group, likely owing to the additional conditioning sessions. Furthermore, significant (p < 0.05) changes were observed between the two groups for the percentage body fat, flexibility, plank time, 20-m sprint time, push ups, and 25-m shuttle distance.

Conclusions:
It was concluded that the CricFit intervention program can be used by coaches and conditioning specialists to improve cricket-specific fitness throughout the pre-season period.