1. The guidelines will allow junior players in Year 8 at school ( Under 13 at midnight on 31st August in the year preceding the current season ) to play in open age cricket providing ‘Explicit Written Consent’ to play in open age cricket has been obtained prior to play.

N.B. The existing Player Profile dated November 2008 contained in ‘Safe Hands’ is not sufficient to cover the ‘Explicit Written Consent’ element as it does not refer specifically to open age cricket. This requirement recognises the need for parents or guardians to be aware of the significance of allowing their young child to participate in open age cricket rather than purely junior cricket.

2. Any player in Year 7 or below ( Under 12 at midnight on 31st August in the year preceding the current season ) cannot play in open age cricket with or without explicit written consent.

For the purpose of these Directives a fast bowler is 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 over’s to the length of his 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 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 over’s 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 overs per day for his age group even 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 the bowling fast.

Captains, Team Managers and Umpires are asked to ensure that these Directives are followed at all times.

For guidance it is recommended that in any 7 day period a fast bowler should not bowl more than 4 days in that period and for a maximum of 2 days in a row.

Age groups are based on the age of the player at midnight on 31st August in the year preceding the current session.

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 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 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 session.