How is a player's age group worked out, and which age do the safety rules use?

Q: How is a player's age group worked out, and which age do the safety rules use?

There are two different ages to keep in mind: Age group: in ECB competitions and County Age Group cricket, age groups are based on the player's age at midnight on 31 August in the year before the season. For example, an Under 13 player in the 2026 season was under 13 at midnight on 31 August 2025. County boards and leagues can set their own age group rules for their own junior competitions. Safety rules: fast bowling limits, minimum fielding distances and helmet rules use the player's actual age (for fast bowling, their age on the day of the match), not the age group they are playing in. So a player who turns 14 mid-season can still be in an Under 14 team, but must follow the 14 and 15-year-old fast bowling and fielding limits from their birthday.

Question

Accepted Answer

There are two different ages to keep in mind:

Age group: in ECB competitions and County Age Group cricket, age groups are based on the player's age at midnight on 31 August in the year before the season. For example, an Under 13 player in the 2026 season was under 13 at midnight on 31 August 2025. County boards and leagues can set their own age group rules for their own junior competitions.
Safety rules: fast bowling limits, minimum fielding distances and helmet rules use the player's actual age (for fast bowling, their age on the day of the match), not the age group they are playing in.

So a player who turns 14 mid-season can still be in an Under 14 team, but must follow the 14 and 15-year-old fast bowling and fielding limits from their birthday.