ECB issues warning over cricket balls sent to thousands of children

The England and Wales Cricket Board has told parents from its flagship junior cricket programmes to stop their children from using a cricket ball provided in its equipment pack.

The All Stars Cricket and Dynamos Cricket programmes are enjoyed by thousands of 5-11 year olds each year, with participants receiving a backpack, T-shirt, bat and ball as part of the signing up fee.

Now the ECB has informed parents that chemical "phthalates" contained in the ball "were at levels in excess of those permitted by relevant regulations."

Around 100,000 children took part in the programmes last year - which means many thousands of the balls will be in circulation.

Excess levels of phthalates

The balls are not being recalled, but the ECB advises: "The safety of participants, volunteers and staff is our priority, and out of an abundance of caution, would advise that the balls should no longer be used."

Phthalates are a group of chemicals added to plastics to improve flexibility and durability.

Exposure to large amounts can have an impact on your health - although the ECB say they have "not determined any direct risk to participants" and the advice reflects a "cautious approach".

Both Trading Standards and the Office for Product Safety and Standards have been informed of this issue in relation to the balls and neither has indicated a need to recall the balls already in circulation from previous years’ programmes.

Tests carried out on Dynamos equipment

The tests also found that the Dynamos Cricket batting tee and PVC banners used in the National Programmes had levels of phthalates in excess of those permitted by relevant regulations.

The email to parents and carers, written by Head of National Programmes Cordelia Brown, goes on to say: "We are very sorry that the affected products haven’t met the standards we’d expect, and for any concern this may cause you.

"Given the test results for the items above, the ECB also arranged independent testing for the bats and stumps given to All Stars participants - and the bats and stumps contained in the kit bags provided to centres delivering our programmes - and can confirm these do not have the same issue.

"Therefore these can continue to be used."

Got further questions?

Equipment packs will not be provided to children signing on for this year's programmes.

The ECB has created an FAQs section its website if parents have further questions.

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