Below is a summary of various forms of the game which are being used by schools in the 11 – 18 age-group. However, the ECB in December 2018 issued a document with recommendations for different age-groups from 9 to 17, includng things like length of pitch, weight of ball etc etc. To see this document, please click here.
All formats used are subject to ECB bowling directives for faster bowlers. Please see “Cricket Safety”
Traditionally, the following formats have been used by schools for some time, (a) being far and away the most common form of the game in schools for decades; (b) has been the predominant form since about 2004; (c) is a compromise pioneered by various schools / areas even before 2004.
All Day Matches
(a) 11.00 / 11.30 to 6.30 / 7.00 Traditional “Declaration game” with no restrictions at all (except ECB – see above)
(b) Win/Lose only “Overs game”: 50 / 55 overs per side with bowling restrictions (10 / 11). Usually with fielding circle.
(c) Restriction on first innings (with draw possible) “100 / 110 overs game” with limitation of 55 / 60 overs maximum for side batting first. Otherwise as per (a) – no bowling or fielding restrictions (except ECB).
Half Day Matches
(a) 2.00 / 2.30 to 6.30 / 7.00: Traditional declaration game with no restrictions at all (except ECB).
(b) Win/Lose only “Overs game”: 35 / 40 overs per side with bowling restrictions (7 / 8). Usually with fielding circle*.
(c) Restriction on first innings (with draw possible): “35 / 40 overs game” with limitation of 40 / 45 overs maximum for side batting first. Otherwise as per (a) – no bowling or fielding restrictions (except ECB).
*The National Boys Under 17 Competition is played with a 35 overs per side
More recent developments (since about 2004)
(a) 20-over matches, nowadays called Twenty20 which was originally (c. 2003) a marketing slogan. 20-over matches have been played for decades as evening games by all sorts of groups. Traditionally played with no restrictions, as per declaration cricket (except ECB).
(b) 20-over matches but with bowling restrictions (4), fielding circles and maybe time limitation on innings.
Other initiatives in schools
The advent of the Hundred in 2021 made this a format that is now being played in some schools, comprised of an innings of 100 balls per sise with sets (overs) of 5 balls. Two sets can be bowled at one end bfore before changing ends meaning that ends are changed only 9 times rather than 19 times in a T20 match meaning that an innings can be completed in around an hour and five minutes.
The format has become popular in girls cricket in schools and the advent of the National Girls Under 18 100-Ball competition in 2022, supported by the Schools Cricket Committee, has increased its appeal especially with a final at Lord’s to look forward to. In 2024, a girls Under 15 competition was launched.
Also increasing in popularity have been 10 and 15 over competitions, with the T10 format being used by some schools in festival competitions. Pairs cricket is also being played in some schools, especially for girls and often using soft balls. In this format, pairs bat for 3 or 4 overs with runs deducted for wickets lost. It can be played by either 8 or 10 a side. For more details of this format click here .