ECB Guideline on Extreme Heat in the Recreational Game

The summer heat is coming, make sure your club is sun safe.

Given the high temperatures we are expecting for the this week and potentially throughout the summer, Essex Cricket in the Community would like to encourage those involved in cricket to familiarise themselves with the ECB Extreme Heat Guidelines for the Recreational Game.

ECB Extreme Weather Guidelines for the Recreational Game - June 2026

The ECB has developed these guidance documents to help clubs, players, officials and volunteers to ensure that cricket is played in a safe environment with risks being managed so that all can continue enjoying and playing the game.

Extreme heat can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Players, coaches and officials should remain alert to the symptoms of heat-related illnesses such as tiredness, dizziness, headache, feeling sick or being sick, excessive sweating and skin becoming pale and clammy or getting a heat rash, cramps in the arms, legs and stomach, fast breathing or heartbeat, a high temperature, being very thirsty and weakness.

There are suggestions in the guidance to ensure that teams can still train and play fixtures in the heat, including:

• Check forecasts, Heat-Health Alerts, UV levels, air quality and local ground conditions before training or matches, including mapping the shade at your ground, stillness, humidity and heat reflected from the ground.
• Plan ahead for hot weather, including water, shade, cooling aids, longer drinks breaks and welfare checks for players, officials, volunteers and spectators.
• Consider changing start times, shortening activity, suspending play or postponing/rearranging fixtures where heat, humidity or local conditions create welfare concerns.
• Pay particular attention to people at greater risk in the heat, including young children, older adults and those with existing health conditions.
• Monitor for signs of heat-related illness, including tiredness, dizziness, headache, nausea, excessive sweating, cramps, fast breathing or heartbeat, confusion or collapse.
• Treat suspected heatstroke as a medical emergency and seek immediate medical help.
• Encourage sun protection, including SPF 30+ sunscreen, regular reapplication, hats, sunglasses, lightweight clothing and provision of shade.
• If thunder or lightning is present, stop activity and get everyone indoors immediately. Do not delay to cover pitches or move equipment. Follow the 30/30 rule.

If conditions become or potentially could become dangerous, consider postponing the training session or match to a time or date when there is less risk of danger.

We encourage all clubs, coaches, safeguarding officers and parents to read the guidelines set out above. It is their responsibility to assess the situation and make a decision when it comes to safety in the extreme heat.

Clubs who have fixtures scheduled (on play-cricket) between 23rd and 26th June in competitions operated by Essex Cricket in the Community have been contacted directly with options and guidance.