Cricket Information: Cricket Australia makes neck guards obligatory from October 1 | Australian gamers should put on neck guards from October 1
Cricket Australia (CA) will make neck guards obligatory for all Australian gamers – worldwide and home – from October 1. Steve Smith, David Warner and Usman Khawaja have been amongst those that have chosen to not put on the protector, however CA are standing agency of their place.
CA head of cricket operations Peter Roach mentioned that the neck protector has come a great distance lately. The choice to make them necessary comes off the again of varied discussions with completely different stakeholders, with participant security on the forefront of the decision-making course of.
“Defending the pinnacle and neck is extraordinarily vital in our sport,” Roach mentioned. “The neck protector has come a great distance lately and the choice to make them necessary comes off the again of quite a lot of recommendation and session with a variety of consultants and stakeholders.”
Australian gamers should put on neck guards from October 1, 2023
CA launched neck guards in 2015 within the aftermath of Phillip Hughes’ tragic dying. Nonetheless, some Australian gamers – particularly Steve Smith and David Warner – have chosen in opposition to sporting them for consolation causes.
“I don’t and won’t put on them,” Warner wrote within the New South Wales coroner’s inquest into Hughes’ passing. “After I flip my head sporting a StemGuard, it impedes my neck and restricts the motion of my neck once I flip round to face bowlers. I’ve tried a StemGuard and it digs into my neck. It’s uncomfortable and a distraction.”
Smith has had related views. “I’ve tried them earlier than and I attempted them the opposite day once I was batting [in the nets] and I reckon my coronary heart charge went up about 30 or 40 immediately. I simply really feel claustrophobic.”
“They’re in all probability going to change into necessary,” he continued, “so I’m going to need to get used to them. I’m certain the extra I put on them, the extra I apply with them, my coronary heart charge will come down and every thing shall be okay.”
And necessary it has change into. Australian gamers should put on the neck guard in opposition to all quick and medium-fast bowling. It doesn’t apply to going through spinners or for wicketkeepers and close-in fielders.
Additionally, the October 1 date means each participant should put on the guard when going through tempo within the upcoming World Cup.
