The Domestic Cricket Directorate has reaffirmed the ruling on young cricketers playing in adult cricket:

• For young cricketers to play adult cricket they must be in second year of secondary education. The only exception would be that they are in the Union's reduced U13 inter-provincial squad. They must be in the named squad at the end of the RDS sessions in the spring leading into the summer. They must also be in secondary school education. If any young cricketer in first year of secondary education is selected to play in adult cricket the club must obtain Union approval by writing to the General Secretary identifying the circumstances. The club must also ensure that all aspects of the Safeguarding Children guidelines are adhered to.
  This ruling also applies to young cricketers playing in woman's cricket.

Clubs are expected to enforce this ruling. Young players who do not meet the criteria will be treated as ineligible players and teams will face appropriate penalties.

Young players who do not meet the criteria may not act as a substitute fielder (Competition Rule A30 refers).

Bryan Milford
General Secretary
Northern Cricket Union