DECIDING whether or not a young bowler is to be classed as slow or fast in respect of the ECB directives or if a full toss bowled is fast or slow in respect of law 42 unfair play , can cause problems for umpires.

Take the ECB fast bowling directives. Umpires have to record each over bowled by players under 19 and to make sure they don’t bowl more than their allowance for each spell.

In a recent match the opening bowler aged 12 came in off a long run up , bowled his five overs and then attempted to come back after three overs rest to continue his spell saying he was a spin bowler.

Both umpires were surprised at this as for a spin bowler he had quite a long run up and bowled some quick balls for his age and he had been rested after the customary five overs allowed. It was agreed he would have to wait until five overs had been bowled from his end before he could continue, in other words wait a further two overs.

That’s the problem for the umpires. If a slow bowler, then he can bowl as many overs in one spell as he likes providing the competition allows it.

If fast then he is restricted to the number in a spell and a maximum number of overs in a day. What constitutes a fast bowler? It is defined as a bowler to whom a wicket keeper in the same age group would in Normal circumstances stand back to take the ball. Plenty for an umpire to think about.

Then there is the bowling of a full pitch ball (a beamer) if bowled by a fast bowler and is above waist height of a batsman stood upright in the crease, then a no ball is called and the bowler given a warning.

If not fast ,then if above shoulder height, then another no ball is called and a warning given.

It would be so much easier to call No ball for a full pitch ball, regardless of its pace,if above the batsman’s waist.

It cuts out all doubts as to speed of the bowler and the question of a fast bowler bowling a slow ball and vice versa. It’s nice to see some competition regulations bringing this in and is certainly operationally in all grass roots cricket in New Zealand.