Fast bowling directives change for 2010
The ECB fast bowling directives have changed following a two-year consultation process. The outcome is that bowlers up to under-15 level are now able to bowl longer spells and more overs in a day.

Under the new guidelines bowlers at under-16 and under-17 level are now permitted to bowl an extra over per spell, but those in the under-18 and under-19 category have had the total number of overs they can deliver per day reduced from 21 to 18.

These guidelines come into effect from the start of the 2010 season.

The fast bowling guidelines are designed to raise awareness of the need to nurture and protect young fast bowlers through their formative years. Research has shown that fast bowlers are by far the most likely players to be missing playing and training time due to injury.
 

GUIDELINES FOR MATCHES
Source: ECB and a PDF from the ECB

For the purpose of these guidelines 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

Kevin Shine, ECB lead fast bowling coach, said: “The elite fast bowling group has been researching injury prevention, performance enhancement and workloads for the past four years.

“The new recommendations mean youngsters under the age of 15 can now bowl an additional over in a spell and two overs more in a day. These figures are over and above the original directives.

“It is clear that our young bowlers need to bowl more so that they can develop match winning abilities and habits and I look forward to the revised directives giving individual fast bowlers and teams more of a chance to play match winning cricket.”

 

Wording Kept from previous directive as SurreyDowns.Org belive this remains

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/her current spell provided that he/she bowls the next over that he/she legally can from the other end. If this does not happen his/her 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/her 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/she cannot exceed the maximum number of overs per day for his/her age group even if he subsequently bowls spin. He/she 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/her spell have been bowled from the same end. If he/she bowls spin without exceeding the maximum number of overs in a spell the maximum will apply as soon as he/she reverts to bowling fast.

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

*Any reference to he/his should be interpreted to include she/her.

Age groups are based on the age of the player at midnight on 31st August in the year preceding the current season.

Source: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
www.ecb.co.uk/ecb/directives-guidelines/ecb-fast-bowling-directives,100,BP.html

ECB Directives:

• Fast Bowling for Non - First Class Cricket
• Safety Guidance on the Wearing of Cricket Helmets by Young Players
• Juniors playing in adult cricket