Custom Bats Cricket Forum
General Cricket => Your Cricket => Topic started by: cobweb1510 on April 05, 2021, 08:49:43 PM
-
Hi all,
This might be in the wrong section- please feel free to move it if appropriate.
My son (11) played U13 for the local village club last year, as wicket keeper, and will be doing the same again this year. As the village doesn't have an U15s team, the U13s start to get involved with the (adult) 3rd team in their 2nd year of U13s to continue their development. This would normally include my son except he is playing above his age group, and I am not sure whether he will be involved or not. I'm a bit conflicted by this.
On one hand I want my son to have every opportunity to improve as a cricketer, and I know he is probably brave/stupid enough to want to try if he's given the opportunity! He certainly earned his place in the U13s on merit. On the flip side- especially as a wicket keeper, I wonder about the safety of him keeping wicket to an adult village 3rd team as an 11 year old.
Simply so I have all the relevant information I need to be a good parent:
1) Are there any minimum age limits on children playing in adult league cricket?
2) Should I be concerned about the risks involved?
Thanks in advance
-
Think it varies by league. Pretty certain in ours they can’t play men’s cricket until under 13’s, but can play from 12’s onwards if they’re involved in their county set up.
In terms of safety I guess it depends. In friendly cricket we’ll often bring our kids on to bowl when their kids are batting etc so it’s a bit fairer. Though in league cricket we probably wouldn’t
-
Think it varies by league. Pretty certain in ours they can’t play men’s cricket until under 13’s, but can play from 12’s onwards if they’re involved in their county set up
Pretty sure that's a guidance from ECB, my understanding is that he can't play league cricket. Been through this with my son.
-
What NT50 says is true in the league I play as well.
Although I agree with keeping everyone safe, I would also question whether our obsession with keeping everyone safe contributes to our mental health crisis.
Personally, many years ago, I played representative cricket against genuinely fast bowlers without a helmet, thigh pad or box. I continue with this lack of protection. I also rode my bmx all over the place and broke my arm and collar bone on separate occasions. I am still alive and better for the experience.
If the club is a decent club and the players mindful of a younger player then why not play. If the standard of cricket is consummate with your son’s ability, I think it should be encouraged.
-
Thanks for the replies.
The U13 rule makes a lot of sense (for obvious reasons).
-
In terms of safety, think it needs to be judged on a case by case basis.
For example my Sunday club have a few county u13’s who were good enough to do a job in the Saturday 2’s by the time they were 13. Whereas some of them can barely see over the stumps, are terrified of the ball being hit by the men and generally won’t get anything out of even friendly cricket until they’re a bit bigger
-
Official ECB Guidance can be found here on this :)
https://resources.ecb.co.uk/ecb/document/2020/03/16/89c1bb4d-120e-471e-ab36-a66a05a3c36b/2020-Guidelines-for-Juniors-Playing-in-Open-Age-Cricket.pdf (https://resources.ecb.co.uk/ecb/document/2020/03/16/89c1bb4d-120e-471e-ab36-a66a05a3c36b/2020-Guidelines-for-Juniors-Playing-in-Open-Age-Cricket.pdf)
-
In terms of safety, think it needs to be judged on a case by case basis.
For example my Sunday club have a few county u13’s who were good enough to do a job in the Saturday 2’s by the time they were 13. Whereas some of them can barely see over the stumps, are terrified of the ball being hit by the men and generally won’t get anything out of even friendly cricket until they’re a bit bigger
This. It must be done on a case by case basis. Rightly there is ECB Guildlines on it because they must drawn a line somewhere as a governing body.
However I know for example their are U15's at our club who aren't ready yet. And that's fine because everyone develops at different speeds, especially physically. Whereas we have a 12yo netting with the seniors and definitely holding his own and loving doing it, and he will play some Sunday friendlies this year.
What I will add and what often gets forgotten is the 'general' section of the ECB Guidelines, rather than just should the child play or not.
-
This. It must be done on a case by case basis. Rightly there is ECB Guildlines on it because they must drawn a line somewhere as a governing body.
However I know for example their are U15's at our club who aren't ready yet. And that's fine because everyone develops at different speeds, especially physically. Whereas we have a 12yo netting with the seniors and definitely holding his own and loving doing it, and he will play some Sunday friendlies this year.
What I will add and what often gets forgotten is the 'general' section of the ECB Guidelines, rather than just should the child play or not.
Agree with all!
Why not looking for another club? Where he will have the opportunity to develop according to his age?
-
We had a little Lad play in our twos at a club I was at, 12 year old playing division 1 cricket as a leggy, ended up taking over 50 wickets each season for 2/3 years! Got a scholarship to a private school. However this guy is now 18 and doesn’t play anymore, decided he wanted the “gang” lifestyle of selling drugs and hanging around streets such a shame!
When we wanted to play him, he needed written consent from his parents, the local cricket board and the county board, one of the criteria as well was that he had played rep cricket. I would imagine the rep cricket criteria was to make sure only the top few youngsters were playing.
I would say try and find a club that will offer him some age group cricket with his own age group, it is a huge jump to adult cricket. Some of the experiences he may get could put him off, not to say 40/50 overs in the field for a lad at his age could be extremely boring!
-
Its a tricky call and IMO shouldn't be based just on age but skill/confidence. Its a balancing act to blood the youngsters at the right time and keep them keen by them doing well and getting them involved too soon and killing their confidence.
I manage an U14s team this year who are a mix of actual 13 and 14 year olds - I played my two lads in some friendly senior games last year and they held their own, even did well at times ( 12 year old spinner took 3 wickets and scored 28 not out) but likewise one bad game saw my eldest (13 at the time last year) quite upset after the game when he was out for 0 or when slogged ( I learnt it was better to open bowling with U13 left arm seamer than bring on later in game as ball swung and openers were cautious) . Its all part of the development process as both used to doing well at their own age and involved with county pathway.
I would stick to some senior friendlies, particular those when you know the oppo so you can get them involved and look for another local club to play as much junior games as possible. Both my two are involved at junior level at other local clubs (one playing up a year and one his own age as plays up year for me).
They need support, protecting at times and used at the right time with helpful fields!
-
It was a while ago now but I started playing adult cricket at the age of 12, wicket keeper also. So long as it’s okay with the league/board then chuck them in I’d say.
I was fortunate to play at a very supporting club who didn’t mind having a youngster behind the stumps and accepted that the odd chance might not be taken and it was all very ‘developmental’. Personally, I enjoyed it, memories of making an impact in an adult game stick with me more now than anything else to be honest.
Would echo some other comments about getting some age group cricket in too if possible.
-
A youth is not allowed to play adult cricket until they are 13 - unless they play county age-group, in which case they can get permission to play aged 12.
This is the ECB directive. There is no room for league or regional flexibility. It applies to all organised adult cricket, not just leagues.
-
Lots of rules and regs nowadays, I started men's cricket at 12, was allowed to bowl 24 overs, might explain why I'm knackered now 🤦♂️
-
I'm not sure how young bowlers are supposed to get good. They are permitted to bowl so few overs!
-
Hi all,
Thanks for the feedback.
One of the things I noticed was a lot of the replies referring to younger players playing were bowlers- might be a bit riskier for a wicket keeper, hence my safety worries.
I now have the information for him that he can't be picked for the adults as he's not old enough, so if he asks why his friends are being picked and he isn't, I have a clear answer- which is very helpful.
Thanks again
-
Just a quick update by way of a thankyou for everyone who took the time to reply.
The club chairman asked about Ollie training with the 3rds as he was out doing his 1-2-1 wicket keeping practise. I think he was a little surprised to learn he was only 11! We had a chat and agreed he would train with the 3rds, but only face the slower bowlers for batting and keeping. Once he gets more comfortable he can face the faster bowlers if he decides he wants to. Apparently even the quicks aren't really any faster than the district level fast bowler he plays with at U13s.
Ollie isn't sure- I think it's the idea of them all being adults he is uncomfortable with- but we are going down next week and he will make up his own mind whether to train with them or not. If he decides not to he still has 2 years before he can actually play for them, so he can join them at any time.
-
Sounds a good move.
We are doing something similar at our club with U13s and U14s now practicing with our 2nd XI and will feature in our senior Sunday friendly matches