|
Regulations for Young Cricketers playing in Adult Matches The directive, as detailed below, together with the additional restrictions shown, shall be enforced in all matches organised by the SYCL.
Introduction
The ECB has issued the following guidance covering the participation of young cricketers in adult matches. This guidance applies to boys and girls and any reference to he/his should be interpreted to include she/her. Age groups are based on the age of the player at midnight on 31st August in the year preceding the current season.
Guidance for Clubs and Leagues
All clubs must recognise that they have a duty of care towards all young players who are representing the club. This duty of care also extends to Leagues that allow the participation of young players in adult teams in their League. The duty of care should be interpreted in two ways: - Not to place a young player in a position that involves an unreasonable risk to that young player, taking account of the circumstances of the match and the relative skills of the player.
- Not to create a situation that places members of the opposing side in a position whereby they cannot play cricket as they would normally do against adult players.
In addition the following specific requirements apply to young players in adult matches: - All young players who have not reached their 18th birthday must wear a helmet with a faceguard when batting and when standing up to the stumps when keeping wicket. Parental consent not to wear a helmet should not be accepted in adult matches. A young player acting as a runner must also wear a helmet even if the player he is running for is not doing so.
- The current ECB fielding regulations must be adhered to and enforced by the umpires and captain. The umpires are empowered by these fielding regulations to stop the game immediately if a young player comes within the restricted distance.
- The umpires and the opposing captain must be notified of the age group of all players participating in an adult match who are in the Under 19 age group or younger even if the player is not a fast bowler. This requirement also covers any young player taking the field as a substitute fielder. The ECB Team Sheet cards are freely available to facilitate this.
- Any player in the Under 13 age group and younger must have explicit written consent from a parent or guardian before participating in adult matches. Clubs must ensure that their player registration procedures ensure that consent is obtained. The guidance related to changing and showering (see `Safe Hands'- Welfare of Young People in Cricket Policy) must be adhered to.
Additional South Yorkshire League regulations:
Under 15 Age Group Any player in the Under 15 age group must have written parental consent to play in the Premier, Whitworth cup and Division 1.
Under 13 Age Group Any player in the Under 13 age group must have written parental consent to play in divs 2,3,4 & 5 and the Mick Savage Trophy. They are NOT allowed to play in any division higher than 2 or in the Whitworth Cup.
Under 11 Age Group Any player in the under 11 age group are NOT allowed to play in any games under the control of the SYCL. Regulations for Young Cricketers - Bowling and Fielding
The directive, as detailed below, shall be enforced in all matches organised by the SYCL.
ECB Fast Bowling Directives
For the purpose of these directives, a fast bowler should be defined as a bowler to whom the wicket keeper, in the same age group, would in normal circumstances stand back to take the ball. Age Group Max overs per spell Max overs per day Up to Under 13 4 overs per spell 8 overs per day Under 14/15 5 overs per spell 10 overs per day Under 16/17 6 overs per spell 18 overs per day Under 19 7 overs per spell 21 overs per day
Having completed a spell the bowler cannot bowl again, from either end, until the equivalent number of overs to the length of his/her spell have been bowled from the same end.
A bowler can change ends without ending his current spell provided that he bowls the next over that he legally can from the other end. If this does not happen his/her spell is deemed to be concluded.
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 for 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 avers 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 avers in a spell the maximum will apply as soon as he reverts to bowing fast. If he bowls spin without exceeding the maximum number of overs in a spell the maximum number will apply as soon as he starts bowling fast.
ECB Close Fielding Regulations
The following stipulates the minimum fielding distance for young players in all matches where a hard ball is used. In the senior game, it is the captain's responsibility to apply these regulations.
No young player in the Under 15 age group or younger shall be allowed to field closer that 8 yards (7.3 metres) from the middle stump, except behind the wicket on the off side unless the batsman has played the ball.
For players in the Under 13 age group and below, the distance is 11 yards (10 metres).
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 be encouraged to wear appropriate protective equipment whenever they are fielding in a position where they feel at risk.
These minimum distances apply even if the player is wearing a helmet.
Note; The age groups referred to are based on the age of the player at midnight on 31st August in the year preceding the current season.
Safety guidance on the wearing of cricket helmets by young players
The England and Wales Cricket Board has issued new safety guidance on the wearing of cricket helmets by young players.
It is recommended that young players wear a helmet 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 to 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 players to ensure that their helmet conforms to this standard.
The ECB is recommending that all players up to the age of 18 follow this guidance. 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.
|
