"SOBBING": Parents praise new surprise Bluey Cricket episode

The ‘tear-jerking’ episode was the highest non-news program to air on the day of premiere, surpassing the actual World Test Championship coverage. 

We all know how captivating Bluey is, but could you imagine an episode outshining the Aussie cricket team winning the World Test Championship?

Well, that’s exactly what happened on Sunday when Bluey dropped a surprise bonus episode.

The new ‘Cricket’ episode had a greater audience than the actual cricket coverage itself and became the highest non-news program to air that day, reaching an audience of 563,000k people. 

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Rusty honing his skills. Image: ABC

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The episode that captures the soul of the game

An iconic Aussie past-time, backyard cricket, takes centre stage in the episode. 

And in classic Bluey style, the show goes beyond just entertainment and imparts some meaningful life lessons.

It starts with Bandit recounting a story about a backyard cricket game at a birthday party.

Initially, Bluey isn’t too keen on playing, saying, "Cricket is just about hitting a ball around the grass." 

Then Bandit responds wisely, "Cricket’s about more than that, kid."

Then the rest of the episode focuses on Rusty, one of Bluey’s friends, and his passion for the game. 

The youngster is a talented cricketer, playing at every given opportunity - even by himself hitting a ball against a wall when no one else is available. He even sleeps next to his cricket bat. 

Throughout the story, Lucky’s dad, Pat, Uncle Stripe and Bandit all come together to try and get Rusty ‘out’, devising various plans to find his weaknesses. 

Rusty fights off their many and varied tactics but still gets worn down and loses motivation. That is until he receives a heartfelt letter from his dad. 

It read: “As you grow up, you'll face harder things than a cricket ball and you'll have two choices: Back away and get out, or step in front and play a pull shot.”

"Just keep your eye on the ball, and keep an eye on your little sister for me."

Of course, this is exactly what Rusty needed to hear to keep going. *Cue the tears*

The adults are still focused on getting him out, but Rusty decides to go out in a dignified way and deliberately hits the ball to his little sister to catch.

As Rusty walks off, Bandit delivers another banger of a line to Bluey. 

“That’s what cricket’s about, kid.”

All in all, the episode brought up some seriously strong nostalgia for many Aussies, who have fond memories of playing backyard cricket. 

And we’re sure many parents could relate to the feelings of not wanting to be shown up by a kid and taking the game a little too seriously.  

Rusty defends all of the adults' tactics. Image: ABC

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'The best media depiction of the sport ever put to broadcast'

Parents across the world took to the internet shortly after the premiere expressing their love for the episode. 

"When today’s episode of Bluey airs in the USA, cricket will become the national sport," one person Tweeted.

"Sometimes I wonder why I’ll bother watching some premium TV series of eight or 10-hour-long episodes when in seven minutes Bluey can pack a bigger punch, more heartfelt moments, greater laughs and deliver far more depth, time after time after time. It is simply perfect storytelling," another person said.

Then another Tweet read: "‘Cricket’ isn’t just another episode of this brilliant TV show, it’s the best media depiction of the sport ever put to broadcast. If you’ve ever picked up a bat, this episode will have you holding back tears.

"Simply marvellous."

Some of the comments and Tweets about the episode. Image: Facebook / Twitter.

"Such a great episode, my kid’s loved it!" said a woman in the Bluey Mums Facebook group. 

"The Cricket episode got me SOBBING," said someone else. 

"When they hit the ball into a window lol... so relatable. They nailed this ep!" remarked another fan.

'Bawling': Aussie cricketers respond

And even Aussie cricketers said the episode had them right in the feels. 

During a chat on The Grandstand Cricket Podcast, former Aussie cricketer Ed Cowan said, “Honestly, I was bawling my eyes out.”

“If you’re a cricket fan, I don’t care how old you are, you have to watch this episode. And if you don’t have a tear in your eye at the end of the episode, I don’t even know if you’re human.”

Sam Perry, a sports writer and cricket podcaster, also added on Twitter, "Bluey left me in bits. Everyone else I speak to similarly in bits."

Originally published as "SOBBING": Parents praise new surprise Bluey Cricket episode