Bassetlaw and District Cricket League Official Handbook 2018

42  Players over the age of 18 The ECB strongly recommends that all adult recreational cricketers should  wear helmets for certain activities, preferably which meet the most recent  British Safety Standard (see below).  This recommendation applies to batting  against all types of bowling, wicket‐keepers standing up to the wicket (who  may as an alternative wear face protectors) and fielders fielding closer than  eight yards from the batsman’s middle stump, except behind the wicket on  the off side.  Players under the age of 18 The position in relation to U18’s currently remains unchanged, and is  governed by the ‘ECB Guidance on the Wearing of Cricket Helmets by Young  Players’  (www.ecb.co.uk/news/79227 ).  In essence, batsmen and wicket‐ keepers standing up to the stumps must wear head protection when playing  or practising.  That Guidance should be referred to in full for the position in  relation to U18’s.  British Safety Standard The latest British Safety Standard is BS7928:2013  (for both adults and juniors).   The full list of helmets meeting this standard is available at  www.ecb.co.uk/helmets.   For wicket‐keeping face protectors the relevant  British Safety Standard is BS7929‐2:2009 (again, for both adults and juniors).  The ECB understands that there is currently no specific women's helmet and  as a consequence no specific standard for women's cricket helmets.  As the  size of the standard women's cricket ball is between the standard men and  junior balls, it is recommended that women use helmets that have been tested  against both the men's and junior sized ball, or at least against the junior size  ball (as that could potentially get through the gap above the face guard on a  men's helmet).  What do Leagues and Clubs need to do Whilst it is strongly recommended that all adult recreational cricketers wear  helmets in the on‐field circumstances detailed above, it is not mandatory for  them to do so.  For the avoidance of doubt, Leagues or Clubs do not need to  go above and beyond the ECB’s recommendation by forcing their cricketers to  wear helmets.  However, Leagues and Clubs in recreational cricket should ensure that their  cricketers are made aware of the ECB’s above recommendation in relation to  helmets, including the need to check that any newly purchased helmets meet  the latest British Safety Standard.  The ECB recommends that Leagues and  Clubs bring the link  (www.ecb.co.uk/concussion ‐in‐cricket/helmets) to the  attention of their cricketers and encourage all cricketers to carefully consider  their own health and safety regarding helmet use.