Clubs should be aware that a laminated pocket-sized card containing the following information and table is available from ECB by e-mailing Frank Kemp

As all Clubs are aware, the AGM voted in as Rule 3.14 the ECB Bowling Directives in their entirety. Consequently, it behoves Captains to state on the Team Cards (provided to all Clubs at the JCA AGM of 5 April), the age-group (U13, U14, U15 etc) of any Under 18 Cricketer in their team in the column provided on the Team Card.

      The Umpires and Captains will have to work together to keep track of how many overs each Junior has bowled and when a junior may return for a second spell.     

      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. A bowler can change ends without ending his current spell provided that he bowls the next over that he legally can from the other end. If this does not happen his spell is deemed to be concluded. 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 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 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 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 reverts to bowling fast.

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