Hayes Cricket Club

ECB Safety Guidance on the Wearing of Cricket Helmets by Young Players

In February 2000 the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) issued 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 should 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) 19

• young wicket keepers should 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 standard practice in cricket throughout England and Wales. Helmets are widely available and are covered by a British Standard (BS7928:1998). A face protector represents an alternative head protection system for young wicket keepers. Face protectors are, at the time of publication of this guidance, a relatively new innovation. Wicketkeeper Face Protectors are covered by a new British Standard (BS 7928 – 2 :2009).

  The original guidance allowed parents or guardians to give their written consent to allow a young player not to wear a helmet. However, now parental consent 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.

  The guidance also applies during all practice sessions. Any individual taking responsibility for players should take all reasonable steps to ensure that this guidance is followed at all times.