EDCC Safety Policy


KEEPING CRICKET SAFE AT EDCC

Cricket is a safe sport. But as with all sport there is some risk involved.
  • Almost 20% of injuries occur during training or practice.
  • Typical cricket injuries include sprains, fractures, and bruising.
  • Direct impact from the ball to the face, fingers or hand are the most common cause of injury.
  • Overuse injuries are also common, most often associated with back injuries to fast bowlers, particularly at the elite level and in young cricketers.
Mandatory guidelines are in place at EDCC to minimise injury risk for our players:
  • All players must warm up prior to training or participating in a match.
  • U/10 to U/12 wicketkeepers are to wear helmets whenever keeping.
  • All Junior players are to bat with a helmet during practice and in matches, regardless of age.
  • Captains and Team Managers are to ensure a First Aid Kit is available at all matches.
  • All players are to wear appropriate body padding when batting including gloves, leg pads and protectors.
  • All Captains and Team Managers to be conversant with the EDCC Safety Management Plan.

GAME DAY CHECKLIST

Prior to the commencement of a match a mandatory “ground conditions” report is completed via the JLT Team App, including:
  • Is the surface free of debris? (free from glass, rocks, rubbish, etc).
  • Have weather conditions or water made the surface unsafe?
  • Is the surface in good condition? (grass length, free of holes).
  • Are sprinkler covers correctly in place?
  • Is the perimeter fencing safe? (signs, etc) .
  • Are the weather conditions safe for the game to commence? (lightning etc).
  • Are there any other factors which may be dangerous to the players?

BOWLING

Bowling overuse or an incorrect action can contribute to back soreness and injury.

EDCC has accredited coaching staff available to assist with technique correction and advice on “mixed actions”, and players are encouraged to utilise our coaching staff.

Further, in accordance with Cricket Australia’s recommendations, EDCC has adopted the following workload guidelines for playing and training.

Guidelines for practising
  • Avoid bowling more than two days in a row if possible.
  • Avoid bowling more than four days in a week.
  • Allow one easy week (e.g. 50% of target load) every 4-5 weeks.
  • Schedule a week off bowling after every 10-12 weeks of bowling to allow your body to recover.
Bowling Restrictions for Matches by Age 15

AGEBOWLING RESTRICTIONS FOR MATCHES
Under 11
  • Two overs maximum each spell
  • Four overs maximum per match day
Under 13
  • Four overs maximum each spell
  • Eight overs maximum per match day
  • Target 100-120 balls per week (match & training)
Under 15
  • Allow 4-6 weeks gradual bowling preparation prior to the season
  • Five overs maximum each spell and 12 overs maximum per match day
  • Target 100-10 balls per week (match & training)
Under 17
  • Allow 6-8 weeks gradual bowling preparation prior to the season
  • Six overs maximum each spell & 16 overs maximum per match day
  • Target 120-150 balls per week (match & training)
Under 19
  • Allow 8-10 weeks gradual bowling preparation prior to the season
  • Seven overs maximum each spell & 20 overs maximum per match day
  • Target 150-180 balls per week (match & training)

HELMET RECOMMENDATIONS

EDCC’s commitment to player safety includes the mandatory wearing of helmets when batting, wicket-keeping up to the stumps and fielding close to the batter. This applies when training and during a match.

Cricket Australia states research is showing that the ball making contact with the head is one of the most common areas of injury and therefore recommends wearing a British Standard Helmet. This type of protective headgear gives players an extremely low chance of absorbing a critical head injury.

CONCUSSION & HEAD TRAUMA GUIDELINES

Cricket Australia has released the Community Cricket Concussion & Head Trauma Guidelines to assist Clubs to understand and best manage any concussion or head trauma-related incidents on the cricket field.

This document has been prepared by Cricket Australia’s Medical Team (in consultation with industry specialists) to help everyone in community cricket to take a conservative approach to managing concussion-related incidents and head traumas where immediate medical support may not be available.

For further information and to download these guidelines, please refer to the PDF document at the bottom of this page.

SAFETY IN NETS

  • The coach or net supervisor should brief everyone prior to the commencement of training as to their responsibility towards the safety of themselves and their training partners.
  • Players should not turn their backs to batters.
  • When walking across nets, be mindful of batters batting and bowler’s run ups.
  • Ensure no spectators are in the nets creating an unnecessary distraction and over-crowding.
  • Brief batters to work on their skills not necessarily trying to hit every ball out of the park.
  • Ensure bowlers are bowling from the correct lengths.
  • Ensure all creases are marked correctly.
  • Prior to training, scan the nets for any hazards. For example, broken glass or little rocks on the wicket.

AC Concussions and Head Trauma Policy 2020-21