The Senior Game

Junior and Senior Matches – Main Differences

Many of our better juniors at u13 and u15 will be selected to play senior cricket, usually in the Third or Second XI. 

Moving up to play senior cricket can be quite a shock to the system – here is our summary of the more important differences between junior and ‘senior’ cricket:

  • In pairs cricket, sides have only ten players and all matches are limited to 20 overs.
  • In pairs matches everyone gets to bowl, bat and field, except for the wicket keeper who does not bowl. (This is so that everyone gets involved because they are still developing as players).
  • In 11-a-side junior cricket this may not always be the case.
  • In a senior match – you might play the entire match without batting or bowling, this could also happen in 11-a-side junior cricket but it is less likely.
  • The most important difference is that you can only be out once in senior cricket and there are no retirements.
  • In junior pairs cricket you change ends and continue to play out your four overs as a pair, with a five run penalty for each wicket lost. In junior 11-a-side you can also only be out once, batters also retire on 30.
  • The other important difference is that wides, no balls and byes cost two runs each in junior cricket but no extra ball is bowled (except in the last over at the umpire’s discretion). This is the same in junior cricket for pairs and 11-a-side.
  • Good practice for protecting children in sport prevents the use of ‘close catchers’ in junior cricket – in line with ECB regulations. This is defined as closer than 10 metres in front of the batsman with strike (slip fielders are permitted however).

Where juniors at u13 and u15 are invited to play senior cricket:

  • The club recognises that the physical and emotional development of juniors does vary and the step up to senior cricket is a decision we think about carefully.
  • We will always undertake to consult fully with a parent or guardian to obtain their agreement.
  • Juniors playing at senior level are subject to explicit ECB rules concerning the protection of welfare of children in sport – the details of which are available on request or through discussion with the club welfare officer.