NEW GUIDANCE: 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 cricket ball in matches and in practice. A young player should not be allowed to bat or to 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 faceguard as a normal item of protective equipment when batting against a hard ball, together with pads, gloves and, for boys, an abdominal protector (box). There is a British Standard (BS7928:1998) for cricket helmets and it is in the best interests of players to ensure that their helmet conforms to this standard.

Definition of a Young Player: In law a young person is deemed to become an adult at age 18. The law also imposes a duty of care on those responsible for minors (i.e. those under the age of 18). The ECB is recommending that this guidance is followed by all players 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.

Implementation: The new guidance has been approved by the ECB Management Board and is applicable immediately. It is recognized, however, that many young players do not own a helmet and that clubs and schools may be unable to provide them immediately. The ECB is recommending that the new guidance is communicated to the parents or
guardians of all young players through clubs and schools, and that parental consent is 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.

Parental Consent: The ECB has produced a standard 'Parental Consent' letter and Parental Consent Form that clubs and schools may wish to adopt. A copy can be obtained from the ECB by emailing Frank Kemp <mailto:frank.kemp@ecb.co.uk> or by downloading the
form available as a PDF <http://www.play cricket.com/content/view.asp?id=40533&cid=239> in this section.

Relationship to Existing Guidance: The guidance contained in the ECB Cricket Coach's Manual and in the Safety Guidance issued by the NCA and the TCCB before the formation of the ECB refers to “additional protective equipment” including helmets, thigh pads, arm guards and chest guards. The Manual also states (Advice on Batting Equipment) “in school P.E. curriculum activities…when cricket or other hard balls are used the appropriate protective equipment must be worn.” The guidance published in the BAALPE manual currently says “Protective equipment for batters and wicket keepers should be worn as appropriate”. This new guidance specifies that a helmet with a faceguard should be regarded
as a normal item of protective equipment which should be worn by batters and wicket keepers standing up to the stumps whenever a hard ball is being used. A helmet should be regarded as “appropriate protective equipment” in these circumstances whenever a cricket or other hard ball is being used. Existing guidance will be updated to reflect the new guidance as soon as possible.