 Where a hard cricket ball is in use, all batsmen must wear as a minimum – batting pads, batting gloves, abdominal guard (box), cricket helmet. The use of a thigh pad, forearm guard and other protective equipment is optional.

 Where a tennis ball or other soft practice ball is in use, the use of the above protective equipment is optional.

 No U15 player should be allowed to field closer than 8 yards from the middle stump, except behind square on the offside, until the batsmen has played at the ball.

 No U13 player should be allowed to field closer than 11 yards from the middle stump, except behind square on the offside, until the batsmen has played at the ball.

 Any player age 16-18 must wear a helmet and an abdominal guard when fielding within 6 yards of the bat, except behind square on the offside. Other protective equipment can be worn if necessary.

 All wicketkeepers under age 18 must wear a helmet when standing up to the stumps.

 Fast bowling is a demanding activity. All under 18 fast bowlers should be encouraged to warm up and warm down correctly before bowling in matches or practice. The use of properly cushioned footwear should also be recommended.

 Coaches should pay particular attention to a fast bowlers action and take action to prevent the adoption of a “mixed” bowling action” in order to prevent injury.

 The maximum amount of overs in a spell for fast bowlers should be: Up to age 13 – 4 overs per spell, U14/15 – 5 overs per spell, U16/17 – 6 overs per spell, U18/19 – 7 overs per spell.

 The maximum amount of overs in a day for fast bowlers should be: Up to age 13 – 8 overs per day, U14/15– 10 overs per day, U16/17 – 18 overs per day, U18/19 – 21 overs per day.

 The above maximums should also be considered during net practice with an emphasis being placed in short quality spells for fast bowlers.

 Laurelvale Cricket will regularly audit the equipment provided for the use of under 18 players to ensure the protective equipment is fit for use.