Cricket clubs told to stop using plastic balls that could pose health risk

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has told parents and clubs to stop using plastic balls given out through its popular All Stars and Dynamos schemes, due to worries about their chemical makeup.

These schemes, which have been running since 2017, are for children aged 5-8 and 8-11 and usually include free kit along with coaching.

But tests on the products have found that the amount of phthalates a type of chemical that makes plastics last longer is too high in the balls.

Trading Standards and the Office for Product Safety and Standards have both been told, and while they haven't said the items need to be taken back, the ECB has written to its partner clubs telling them to throw the balls away.

A statement said: "The independent testing we conducted has found that the phthalates in these items were found to be at levels in excess of those permitted by relevant regulations."

It added: "To better understand the issue, we then instructed an external expert company to conduct a risk assessment in relation to the cricket balls which has not identified any direct risk to participants in the programmes in relation to these balls."

But it went on to say: "However, the safety of participants, volunteers and staff is our priority and, out of an abundance of caution, we would advise that the balls should no longer be used."

"We are very sorry that the affected products haven't met the standards we'd expect, and for any concern this may cause."

Tests are still underway on a practice batting tee and PVC banners used in the schemes, but the hard plastic bats and stumps have both been approved.

If an alternative supplier isn't found soon, clubs may end up using tennis balls to complete their All Stars and Dynamos sessions.