Heat, Hydration and Weather Safety

In this lesson you will learn why weather matters so much in cricket. Our matches last several hours outdoors, often in the brightest and hottest part of the day, and fielders can spend long spells in full sun. Spring and autumn matches can be cold and damp, and summer storms can build quickly. Weather affects not just comfort but safety: heat illness, sunburn, slippery surfaces and lightning are all real risks. Children, older players, people with medical conditions and those not used to exercise are more vulnerable. Planning ahead, watching the forecast and looking after each other through the day keeps everyone safe.

• Matches last hours outdoors
• Heat, sun, cold, wet and lightning are risks
• Some people are more vulnerable
• Check the forecast and plan ahead

In this lesson you will learn how to stay well hydrated. You lose fluid through sweat even on mild days, and dehydration reduces concentration, reaction time and performance, and raises the risk of heat illness and cramp. Drink regularly before, during and after play rather than waiting until you feel thirsty. Water is usually enough, though on very hot days or after long spells an electrolyte drink can help. Use the drinks breaks provided and take a bottle to the boundary when fielding. Dark urine, headaches and dizziness are signs you need to drink more. Captains and coaches should make sure juniors drink regularly too.

• Drink before, during and after play
• Do not wait until you feel thirsty
• Use drinks breaks and keep a bottle handy
• Dark urine or headache: drink more
• Make sure juniors drink regularly

In this lesson you will learn how to protect yourself from the sun. Cricketers are exposed to ultraviolet light for long periods, and sunburn and skin cancer are real risks. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF, at least 30, and good UVA protection, at least twenty minutes before going out, and reapply every two hours and after sweating. Wear a wide-brimmed hat or cap, sunglasses that protect against UV, and long sleeves where possible. Use shade during breaks. The sun is usually strongest between eleven in the morning and three in the afternoon in the UK summer. Remember that you can still burn on cloudy days.

• Broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
• Reapply every two hours and after sweating
• Hats, sunglasses and long sleeves
• Use shade during breaks
• You can burn on cloudy days

In this lesson you will learn to recognise heat illness. Heat exhaustion causes headache, dizziness, nausea, heavy sweating, cramps, a fast pulse and intense thirst. Move the person somewhere cool, lie them down with their feet slightly raised, give them plenty of water or a rehydration drink, and cool their skin with a wet cloth or fan. They should start to feel better within thirty minutes. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Call 999 if they are not better after thirty minutes, or if they have a very high temperature, are confused, have hot skin that is no longer sweating, have a fit or lose consciousness. Keep cooling them while you wait.

• Heat exhaustion: headache, dizziness, sweating, thirst
• Cool place, lie down, fluids, cool the skin
• Should improve within thirty minutes
• Heatstroke is an emergency: call 999
• Keep cooling while waiting for help

In this lesson you will learn how organisers and captains can reduce heat risks. Watch for heat health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office forecast. On hot days, arrange extra drinks breaks, provide shade for players and spectators, rotate fielders out of the hottest positions, and allow fast bowlers shorter spells where the competition regulations allow. Encourage players to wear light-coloured clothing and to change out of sweat-soaked kit. Be especially watchful of juniors, older players and anyone who seems unusually quiet or unsteady. Additional drinks intervals and other changes to playing arrangements should follow the WFA competition regulations and be agreed with the umpires.

• Check heat health alerts and forecasts
• Extra drinks breaks and shade
• Rotate fielders from the hottest positions
• Watch juniors and older players closely
• Agree changes with umpires under WFA regulations

In this lesson you will look at cold and wet weather. Early and late season matches can be chilly, and cold muscles are more easily strained, so warm up thoroughly and wear layers you can remove. Keep warm between innings and while waiting to bat. Wet conditions make run-ups, creases, steps and the outfield slippery, and a wet ball is harder to grip and control, which can increase risk for batters. Umpires are the sole judges of whether conditions are fit for play under the Laws, and they will consider whether conditions are dangerous or unreasonable. Never pressure the umpires to continue in conditions they judge unsafe.

• Warm up thoroughly in cold weather
• Wear layers and keep warm between innings
• Wet surfaces and balls increase risk
• Umpires decide whether conditions are fit
• Never pressure umpires to play on

In this lesson you will learn how to stay safe in a thunderstorm. A cricket field is open ground, and lightning can strike several miles ahead of a storm. If you hear thunder, you are within striking distance. Play should be suspended and everyone, including spectators, should move to a substantial building or a hard-topped vehicle with the windows closed. Do not shelter under isolated trees, in open-sided shelters or near metal fences, and put down metal items such as umbrellas. A common rule is to wait thirty minutes after the last thunder before returning outside. Umpires and organisers should act early rather than late.

• If you can hear thunder, you are in range
• Suspend play and get everyone indoors
• Avoid trees, open shelters and metal fences
• Wait thirty minutes after the last thunder
• Act early rather than late