Clubs are reminded that they have a duty of care towards all young players under the age of 18 and particularly under the age of 13 …… Exactly what this means and the ECB guidelines for young cricketers can be found in detail on page 22 of the 2019 Handbook and you are asked to make sure that club officials read this and comply in all respects. Parental consent will be requested automatically by the ECB and then the MSC will obtain from the relevant County Board the playing capabilities of all young cricketers.
As you are all aware all players are required to be registered on play-cricket before they play in the Championship. Occasionally with senior players the MSC have relaxed this requirement in the interests of getting 11 players on the field to “get the game on” and have permitted registration to take place after the event and within the same time frame as the requirement to post the full scorecard on play-cricket.
It should be emphasised that young cricketers below school year 8 shall not be permitted to play or young cricketers in School Year 7 who are not members of a County Squad are permitted to play in the championship. Clearance from the ECB via play-cricket registration and the County Board Coaches MUST take place before an young cricketer in School year 7 plays in open age cricket. There are possible legal liabilities and insurance implications if such a young cricketer is subsequently injured and we have to point out that the League will not accept any responsibility should a club choose to play an under age or unregistered player without the league knowledge.