Cheshire Cricket League Handbook 2018

Fielding Regulations The ECB has 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 batsman’s position on the popping crease on a middle stump line, 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 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 8 yards (7.3 metres) from the batsman’s position on the popping crease on a middle stump line, 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. ECB Safety Guidance on the Wearing of Cricket Helmets by Young Players In February 2015 the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) issued updated safety guidance on the wearing of helmets by young players up to the age of 18. In brief, the guidance recommends that: • helmets with a faceguard or grille must be worn when batting against a hard cricket ball in matches and in practice sessions • young players should regard a helmet with a faceguard as a normal item of protective equipment when batting, together with pads, gloves and, for boys, an abdominal protector (box) • young wicket keepers must wear a helmet with a faceguard, or a wicketkeeper face protector when standing up to the stumps. With the assistance of schools, cricket clubs and leagues, the wearing of helmets by young players is now standardpractice in cricket throughout England and Wales.Helmets are widely available and are covered by an updated British Standard (BS7928:2013). A face protector represents an alternative head protection system for young wicket keepers. Wicketkeeper Face Protectors are covered by a new British Standard (BS7928–2:2009). The ECB strongly recommends that wherever possible junior players use head protectors that have been tested against junior sized cricket balls. Parental or guardian written consent allowing a young player not to wear a helmet should not be accepted in any form of cricket. This guidance applies to all players up to the age of 18, both in adult cricket and in all junior cricket played with a hard cricket ball. 111