New ECB safety regulations cause concern at grassroots

The news of updated ECB Recreational Cricket Safety Regulations does not, at first glance, sound particularly riveting - but it is causing a stir.

The Regulations replace previous versions and cover those cricketers aged Under 19 in relation to Fast Bowling, Fielding Distances, Eligibility of Junior Cricketers, Playing Out of Age Group and Protective Equipment.

From those I've talked to involved in junior cricket, it’s gone down very badly. They are fuming.

The grievances at grassroots are everything from the timing just six weeks out from the new season to the way the changes will cause concern and confusion.

We'll come to that in a minute.

⚖️ For balance, I should say that I've not reached out directly to the ECB for comment mainly due to timings so I won't have the full picture; this is really my opinion based on reaction to the regulations.

Club Cricket - Calverley CC - Elbow Bump - Photo by john Heald

It brought to mind the dark days of Covid in 2020 when the politicians grandly announced the return of club cricket for a good soundbite which left the ECB scrambling to publish guidance and then volunteers, players and clubs a matter of days to wrap their heads around it all.

Is this better or worse than that? Well, Covid was unprecedented whereas this could have been released at any time. We are talking about not inconsiderable changes that affect players, parents, coaches, administrators, clubs and leagues.

Could this not have been published earlier than 19 March?

The updated regulations and new guidance (with thanks to the Devon Cricket Foundation for their useful summary) are intended to improve the safety of those in recreational cricket - including scenarios where junior cricketers take part in open-age matches.

Reshaping and tightening commitments and providing clarity is broadly no bad thing but there are genuine worries that they might, in some cases, achieve the opposite than was intended.

Those more heavily involved in the administration of the game at grassroots will doubtless have a keener sense of what this means for them.

The ECB regulations are mandatory so everyone has to abide by them - but there is no guidance to leagues that I know of around how this is implemented fairly and sensibly.

How is any of it realistically enforced?

With that in mind, have a read below and see what you think...

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Highlighted changes for the 2025 season:

Male players aged under 18 MUST wear a groin protector (box) when also required to wear a helmet.
Regulations apply to a player's age, not their age group.
Players aged 12 can play open age cricket.
Written approval MUST be obtained from parents/guardians and the County Pathway Lead before a player aged 11 and who has started School Year 7 is eligible to play open age cricket.
Clubs MUST have regard to certain considerations before playing a junior cricketer in open age cricket or in an age group above the player's actual age group.
Umpires, captains and team managers MUST take certain steps to enforce the new safety regulations in matches.
Reduction in the number of overs per bowler, per spell and other additional regulations.
Updated fielding regulations relating to ages and distances from striking batter.

The ECB also recommends:

Each club appoints at least on First Aider, and that at least one First Aider is present when any cricket activity is taking place at the club.

Clubs carry out risk assessments for activities at their club to inform necessary safety procedures.

Clubs have fully stocked First Aid Kits and develop annual Medical Emergency Action Plans.

All coaches, umpires, captains and team managers undertake concussion e-learning and a basic life support course.

Fast bowlers aged 19 or under:

Consider adhering to recommended maximum and minimum numbers of overs bowled each week, as well as certain recommended rest periods.

Follow a 'Ready to Bowl' programme to build up to regular bowling following a break from bowling of two weeks or longer.

Clubs and competitions are urged to familiarise themselves with the full documentation.

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Devil in the detail

If you pore over the detail, that's when problems soon emerge.

As one observer confided in me: 'You can fight for your country at 18 but not bowl more than 7 overs in a spell!'

I don't understand why these regulations apply up to the age of 19 when those players are considered adults (the legal age of majority is 18).

It seems you can vote and drive a car but not risk a pulled hamstring.

As it was pointed out to me, at 19, players have finished junior cricket and an open-age league game might be the only game-time they get.

The birthday lottery

If we look at the other end of the age bracket, the news that anyone who reaches the age of 12 years old can play open-age cricket comes with its own headaches.

Instead of ruling by year group tied to school, individuals obviously turn 12 across the year. It creates more disparity because some kids will forego any senior cricket while those in the same class at school might have played all season.

Plus, eligibility occurs during a cricket season and that all needs managing at club and league level.

I return to the prickly subject of who is responsible in making sure this all happens. It's not ultimately the ECB, it's expected to be a group of volunteers.

To my mind, it unfairly places umpires in the spotlight too.

Umpires across Yorkshire and more widely in England and Wales will have these safety regulations in mind as they gather for pre-season meetings.

Directive Cards have been issued to County ACO Chairs to give to umpires who can consult these pocket-sized guides during games. I can’t help but wonder if a) this undermines their authority and b) gives them yet another thing to do when there’s limited time and plenty going on in between overs.

I guess it’s as much about building awareness into conversations before the coin toss with captains and coaches.

Reviewing safety protocols and ensuring the wellbeing of young players who are involved in cricket matches with adults is very important. I doubt anyone disputes that.

I am curious if this will ultimately discourage teams and clubs from involving players as young as 12 to take part in open-age cricket.

I also wonder if any clubs, leagues and umpires were consulted during this process.

As ever with wholesale changes across the recreational game, it will take time to see how these Regulations work and any nuances, intended or otherwise.

In time, there will be another review: ‘The ECB Regulatory Team will undertake a full review of the Regulations following the 2025 season.’

I can imagine the feedback will be full and forthright from those directly involved in recreational cricket - and I hope they're listened to.