– helmets with a faceguard or grille should be worn when batting against a hard cricket ball in matches and in practice sessions

– young players should regard a helmet with a faceguard as a normal item of protective equipment when batting, together with pads, gloves and, for boys, an abdominal protector (box)

– young wicket keepers should wear a helmet with a faceguard, or a wicketkeeper face protector when standing up to the stumps.

Helmets are widely available and are covered by a British Standard (BS7928:1998). A face protector represents an alternative head protection system for young wicket keepers. Face protectors are, at the time of publication of this guidance, a relatively new innovation. Wicketkeeper Face Protectors are covered by a new British Standard (BS 7928 – 2 :2009).

The original guidance allowed parents or guardians to give their written consent to allow a young player not to wear a helmet. However now parental consent not to wear a helmet should not be accepted in any form of cricket.

This guidance applies to all players up to the age of 18, both in open age group cricket and in all junior cricket played with a hard cricket ball. The guidance also applies during all practice sessions. Any individual taking responsibility for players should take all reasonable steps to ensure that this guidance is followed at all times.

Farnham Cricket Club supports the ECB that the guidance is communicated to the parents or guardians of all young players through clubs and schools, and that young players at Farnham Cricket Club are not allowed to bat or stand up to the stumps when keeping wicket against a hard ball without wearing appropriate protection.