 | It is
recommended that a helmet is worn by young players when
batting and when standing up to the stumps when keeping
wicket against a hard cricket ball in matches and in
practice. |
| A young
player should not be allowed to bat or stand up to the
stumps when keeping wicket without a helmet against a
hard ball except with written parental consent. Coaches,
teachers, managers and umpires should always ensure that
a young player wears a helmet if this written parental
consent has not been received. |
| Players
should regard a helmet with a faceguard as a normal item
of protective equipment when batting against a hard ball,
together with pads, gloves and, for boys, an abdominal
protector (box). |
| There is a
British Standard (BS7928: 1998) for cricket helmets and
it is in the best interests of the players to ensure that
their helmet conforms to this standard. |
The ECB is
recommending that this guidance is followed by all players up to
the age of 18. It applies to young players in adult cricket as
well as to all junior cricket played with a hard cricket ball.
The ECB is
requesting that the new guidance is communicated to the parents
or guardians of all young players through clubs and schools, and
that parental consent is always obtained before young players are
allowed to bat or stand up to the stumps when keeping wicket
against a hard ball without wearing a helmet.
The ECB has also
extended the existing regulations covering the minimum fielding
distances for young players in all matches where a hard ball is
used.
| No young
player in the Under 15 age group or younger shall be
allowed to field closer than 8 yards (7.3 metres) from
the middle stump, except behind the wicket on the off
side, until the batsman has played at the ball. |
| For players
in the Under 13 age group and below the distance is 11
yards (10 metres). |
| These minimum
distances apply even when if the player is wearing a
helmet. |
| Should a
young player in these age groups come within the
restricted distance the umpire must stop the game
immediately and instruct the fielder to move back. |
| In addition,
any young player in the Under 16 to Under 18 age groups
who has not reached the age of 18, must wear a helmet
and, for boys, an abdominal protector (box) when fielding
within 6 yards (5.5 metres) of the bat, except behind the
wicket on the off side. Players should wear appropriate
protective equipment whenever they are fielding in a
position where they feel at risk. |
| These
fielding regulations are applicable to all cricket in
England and Wales. Age groups are based on the age of the
player at midnight on 31st August in the year
preceding the current season. |
For the purpose
of these Directives a fast bowler should be defined as a bowler
to whom a wicket keeper in the same age group would in normal
circumstances stand back to take the ball.
Having completed a
spell the bowler cannot bowl again, from either end, until the
equivalent number of overs to the length of his* spell have been
bowled from the same end. If play is interrupted for any reason
for less than 40 minutes, any spell in progress at the time of
the interruption can be continued after the interruption up to
the maximum number of overs per spell in the appropriate age
group. If the spell is not continued after the interruption the
bowler cannot bowl again, from either end, until the equivalent
number of overs to the length of his spell before the
interruption have been bowled from the same end. If the
interruption is of 40 minutes or more, whether scheduled or not,
the bowler can commence a new spell immediately.
Once a bowler
covered by these Directives has bowled in a match, he cannot
exceed the maximum number of overs per day for his age group even
if he subsequently bowls spin. He can exceed the maximum overs
per spell if bowling spin, but cannot then revert to bowling fast
until an equivalent number of overs to the length of his spell
have been bowled from the same end. If he bowls spin without
exceeding the maximum number of overs in a spell, the maximum
will apply as soon as he reverts to bowling fast.
Captains, Team
Managers and Umpires are asked to ensure that these Directives
are followed at all times.
*Any reference
to he/his should be interpreted to include she/her.
Caring For Cricket Bats - courtesy of John Lewis
plc
Willow is soft
wood, so you can expect your cricket bat to sustain dents and
surface cracks in the normal course of play. These superficial
‘battle scars’ will not affect the performance of your
bat. But to prolong its life you do need to prepare and maintain
it carefully.
Choosing the
right bat
To test whether a bat is the right size, stand it up against
you – the top of the handle should just come up to your
wrist. You should also feel comfortable with the weight and
balance of the blade.
Preparing your
new bat for play
Oiling and knocking-in will improve your bat’s
performance as well as protecting it.
Oiling maintains
the moisture levels of the wood, reducing the chance of your
blade cracking or splitting. Use raw linseed or a specialist
cricket bat oil.
DO
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