Cricket Australia (CA) has announced a new decision that is going to impact each and every batter in Australia’s domestic circuit as well as the international circuit.
CA has announced that now it is mandatory for every batter to wear a neck protector if any player is seen not wearing it, the player can face several sanctions by the board. This rule will be in action from the 1st of October and will be applicable in every CA-sanctioned match. This rule will be brought in thanks to the updation of its clothing and equipment regulations.
The protector must be fixed or fitted at the rear end of the helmet while facing a fast or medium-fast bowler. The batters will have the liberty of removing the neck protector while facing the spinners. CA had earlier recommended the use of protectors following the tragic death of Phil Hughes in 2014, though till now it was not mandatory.
🚨 Safety Alert 🚨
Effective October 1, neck protectors are a must for all Australian players!#CricketTwitter | 📸: Getty pic.twitter.com/nk2l8WIpEw
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 14, 2023
The update to the regulations comes just a week after Australia’s Men’s player Cameron Green was hit by a delivery from Proteas’ Kagiso Rabada. Green was later substituted off the pitch following the blow. Along with Australia’s international matches, the neck protector will also be seen in the Women’s National Cricket League and WBBL. Players could face sanctions under CA’s clothing and equipment regulations if seen not wearing a neck protector.
Wearing neck protectors won’t be mandatory for the wicket-keepers and the close-in fielders, however, it is mandatory for them to wear helmets for a long time.
Cricket Australia’s Head of Cricket Operations and Scheduling, Peter Roach said, “Protecting the head and neck is extremely important in our sport. The neck protector product has come a long way in recent years and the decision to make them mandatory comes off the back of a lot of advice and consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders. We’ve certainly seen over a period of time players wearing them and becoming accustomed to wearing them.”
(Quotes sourced from cricket.com.au)
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