FAST BOWLING DIRECTIVES
JUNIOR CRICKETERS​
You may be aware that there have always been guidelines on workloads for fast bowlers, under the age of 19, laid down by ECB. These guidelines recommend the maximum number of overs a non-spin bowler can bowl in any one spell and in total during any one day. These guidelines have been updated recently and now include the total number of overs that can be bowled across a full 7-day week and the need for a ‘rest day’ if a bowler reaches a certain number of overs bowled, or a 2-day rest period if they exceed it.
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The minimum number of rest days recommended following different bowling workloads is outlined below.
In any 7-day period, it is recommended there should be a maximum of 4 bowling days with only 1 instance of bowling on consecutive days.
If a very high number of overs have been bowled in a particular week, the recommendations go on to suggest what the fast bowlers’ workload for the following week should then look like.
As always, West Chiltington & Thakeham Cricket Club is committed to the welfare of all young players. It is important for all the young players that play across our club that these guidelines are understood and adhered to, across all areas of play. The number of overs bowled includes training sessions, school sessions, club practice and all matches, including representative matches, and any other cricket a young fast bowler player may take part in.
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With more cricket on offer than ever before it is important that all parents and coaches take notice of these guidelines and factor them into the discussion and selection of young players across the season. Recording workloads and factoring in rest days is an important part of recommended guidance and it is expected that all clubs follow this throughout the summer.
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The Junior League fixtures have now all started across the County for both the mixed sex and Girls Leagues and discussions have taken place with the SJCF about the competition weeks’ run at the end of the season and further communication will come out from the SJCF in due course.
The guidelines above are more important than over bowling a young fast bowler in order to win a League or qualify for a final.
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There will be an inevitable cross-over between Junior age group cricket and those playing open-age (Adult) League, Slam, Pathway and County squad cricket, and all other non-Junior cricket, so a collaborative approach to ensure selections and workloads are managed accordingly, is important. Responsibility lies with us, the schools, the coaches and the parents to regularly communicate with players and each other to ensure the young bowler isn’t exceeding the bowling limits above.
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For clarity, a non-spin bowler is classed as a fast bowler for the benefit of these guidelines and to be clear, a ‘rest day’, or 2-days rest relates solely to the young player bowling in a match and doesn’t exclude them from playing consecutive days and only batting and fielding/wicket-keeping. It is also important to note that regardless of the age group or environment in which the young bowler is playing, the age of the player is what you go by when managing their workload.
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It is appreciated that parents and coaches will innevitable have some questions off the back of this. If you have any queries or concerns please reach out to your age group manager, senior cricket club captain or our Welfare Officer Sarah Osborne.
The recommendations in their entirety, can be found here >