For the purpose of these Directives a fast bowler should be 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 overs to the length of his/her spell have been bowled from the same 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. 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/her 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 of overs per day for his/her age group even if he subsequently bowls spin. He can exceed the maximum overs per spell if bowling spin, but cannot then revert to bowling fast until an equivalent number of overs to the length of his/her 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/she revert to bowling fast.

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

The ECB has issued new safety guidance on the wearing of cricket helmets by young players.

It is recommended that a helmet is worn by young players when batting and when standing up to the stumps when keeping wicket against a hard ball in matches and practice.

A young player should not be allowed to bat or stand up to the stumps when keeping wicket without a helmet against a hard ball except with written parental consent. Coaches, teachers, managers and umpires should always ensure that a young player wears a helmet if this written parental consent has not been received.

Players should regard a helmet with a face guard as a normal item of protective equipment when batting against a hard ball, together with pads, gloves and for boys, an abdominal protector.

There is a British Standard 9BS7928:1998) for cricket helmets and it is in the best interests of players to ensure that their helmet conforms to this standard.

The ECB is recommending that this guidance is followed by all payers up to the age of 18. It applies to young players in adult cricket as well as to all junior cricket played with a hard ball.

The ECB is requesting that the new guidance is communicated to the parents or guardians fo all young players through clubs and schools, and that parental consent is always obtained before young players are allowed to bat or stand up to the stumps when keeping wicket against a hard ball without wearing a helmet.

The ECB has also extended the existing regulation 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 the ball.

For players in the Under 13 age group and below the distance is 11 yards (10 metres).

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 when fielding within 6 yards (5.5 metres) of the bat, except behind the wicket on the off side. Player should wear appropriate protective equipment whenever they are fielding in a position where they fell 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.