ABC KIDS

Nov 20, 2023

Clare RigdenThe West Australian It might have left international audiences scratching their heads. But it turns out we Aussies love our cricket, and we voted en masse to propel a Bluey episode dedicated to the sport to number one in a national countdown. Bluey’s ‘Cricket’ episode hit the competition for six, coming in at number one in The Biggest Little Bluey Countdown, which celebrated five years of the children’s cartoon with a countdown of our favourite 100 episodes, airing on ABC Kids on Sunday. Cricket won with a landslide, with 5800 votes separating it from its closest rival, the equally delightful ‘Baby Race.’ The episode, which screened in June this year, centres around cricket-loving Rusty and his dad, voiced by Blue Wiggle Anthony Field, and “portrays the great Australian pastime of neighbourhood cricket, as the dads struggle to bowl Rusty out.” The episode was an instant hit with fans, attracted more viewers than Australia’s World Test championship match against India in England. Joe Brumm, Creator/Showrunner of Bluey said: “Cricket worked its way into every corner of my life as a kid. It was just always there. “This episode uses cricket, of course, but it’s representative of whatever sport it is you had growing up that united your family and friends.” Libbie Doherty, Head of ABC Family & Children and EP of Bluey said they suspected Cricket would come in at number one. “Joe Brumm and the team at Ludo Studio have so perfectly captured the spirit of the game,” she said. “We hope all the backyard cricketers this summer give their younger siblings a catch, just like Rusty.” Australia’s second favourite episode was Baby Race, which features the voice of journalist Leigh Sales as Coco’s mum, who gives Bluey’s mum Chilli some comforting words of encouragement by uttering the now-iconic line “you’re doing great.” Camera Icon A still from Bluey's Sleepytime episode. Credit: Supplied/ABC Kids Other crowd favourites included the hilarious ‘Granny Mobile’ with its grouchy granny pug, sentimental favourite ‘Sleepytime’ and ‘Camping’, which sees Bluey age up to a teen. Fans who missed the countdown can watch it via the Bluey Fest Live Stream on ABC iView. Australia’s Top 10 Bluey Episodes: 1. Cricket