APPENDIX 3 of Cricket Ireland Code of Good Practice, Appendix 22 ICC Europe / ECB Safety Regulations
These Directives are applicable to all competitions played under the ICC Europe and/or ECB Regulations, and they apply to boys and girls. Any reference to he / his should be interpreted to include she / her.
Age groups are based on the age of the player on 1 September in the year preceding the competition. It must be noted that the Directives are aimed at an individual’s age as opposed to the age group of the Championship being played. For example, a player who because of his age, falls into the under 15 group, must abide by the restrictions laid down for that age group. This will apply even though he may be playing in an under 17 Championship. He cannot bowl / field using the under 17 restrictions, he is still bound by the under 15 restrictions.
Fielders:
Wicket-keepers:
Bowling Restrictions: 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. This does not preclude the umpires from insisting that these Directives apply even though the ability of the wicket-keeper means that he is capable of standing up to what they consider to be a fast bowler.
Directives for matches
Up to 13........ max: 5 overs per spell max: 10 overs a day.
U14, U15....... max: 6 overs per spell max: 12 overs a day.
U16,U17........ max: 7 overs per spell max: 18 overs a day.
U18, U19........ max: 7 overs per spell max: 18 overs a day.
In addition to these, the ECB also ‘recommend 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. For example: in a tournament lasting 5 days, a fast bowler would bowl on days 1 and 2: not bowl on day 3: bowl on days 4 and 5.
Having completed a spell, a bowler cannot bowl again, from either end, until an equivalent number of overs to the length of his spell has been bowled from the same end. If a bowler only completes part of his permitted spell, the above restriction still applies. For example, if he is allowed 7 overs, but only bowls 4, he cannot bowl again, until 4 overs have been bowled from the same end. He cannot resume his `spell’ after 2 overs from the same end, claiming that he is allowed another 3 overs to make up his 7. However, a bowler is allowed to change ends during a spell without taking a rest. This can only be done provided that he bowls the next permissible over from the other end.
If there is an interruption in play, whether scheduled or not, he will be allowed to count time off the field as part of his `rest time’. During this interruption, the bowler may count every 7 minutes of the interruption as being equivalent to 1 over at each end. 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. In this case, the bowler cannot claim any time off the field as rest time and his spell will still be in progress even though play is suspended. If the spell is not continued after the interruption, the bowler cannot bowl again, from either end, until the equivalent number of overs to the length of his spell before the interruption has been bowled from the same end. If the interruption is of 40 minutes duration 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 overs per day for his age group even if he subsequently bowls spin. He can exceed the maximum of overs per spell if bowling spin only, but cannot then revert to bowling fast until an equivalent number of overs to the length of his spell has been bowled from the same end. Any spell that includes fast bowling must not exceed the maximum number of overs per spell even if some of the spell is of spin.
Umpires’ responsibility: The umpires are expected to monitor these players and keep records of the overs such players bowl. Once the maximum allowance for any one spell has been reached, they will inform the player and the captain accordingly, and will not allow the player to bowl again until the requisite rest period has been fulfilled.
Prior to the game, the manager / coach / captain will inform the umpires in writing, of any player who comes under this Directive. If during the game, the umpires consider that any other players come under this Directive, they shall inform the Tournament Director and manager / coach / captain as soon as is practical, that these players shall be subject to the above Directives.
Batting Directive: Any batsman under the age of 18 (on the day of the match) must wear a helmet when batting. Non-compliance with this Directive will result in the umpires stopping the game immediately and instructing the batsman to put on a helmet.