With junior pitches getting shorter it is crucial that youth players wear the right helmet. PAUL WIDDOWSON from Talent Cricket gives his insight
It is now mandatory for all junior cricketers under the age of 18 to wear a helmet while batting and when keeping wicket.
Much research has gone into ensuring that head protection is of paramount importance when playing cricket in recent years with the latest standard introduced in 2013 ensuring that there is no chance of a ball passing between the peak and protective grille.
Head shape and size can vary so we feel that it is vitally important that helmets are tried on for comfort and to ensure a tight enough fit to minimise any movement under pressure.
All junior helmets that we stock have size adjusters to allow for a small amount of growth, from the dial adjuster found on the Gray-Nicolls, Gunn & Moore and Kookaburra helmets, to the strap and internal padding that can be adjusted with the new Masuri and Shrey helmets.
Safety is now the most important thing in junior cricket
A simple test that can be done to ensure that a helmet is the correct fit is to move the head up and down and from side to side to make sure that the peak doesn't drop in front of the eyeline. Individuals with longer hair and long fringes may also consider wearing a towelling head band underneath the helmet, to give the shell something to bind to rather than hair which will move naturally.
Stem guards or neck protectors are also available as an optional extra and must be purchased to attach to the specific brand of helmet that the individual uses to ensure the perfect fit. These protective items aren't mandatory at present but are designed to give extra protection at the rear of the head around the top of the neck area which can occasionally be exposed.
Helmets are an absolute necessity, and this holds even more relevance now with pitch lengths having been made shorter for certain age groups resulting in the ball reaching the batter at a quicker pace.
For more expert advice on purchasing equipment, visit www.talentcricket.co.uk or call 01509 266 666