Field Protection: How to Choose a Cricket Helmet

If you are new to cricket, there are many things to consider, and choosing the right helmet is one of them. The cricket helmet has emerged as one of the most important protective pieces of gear in the game. However, the first helmets designed in the late 1970s appear quite different from the conventional helmets you see today, owing to ongoing safety standards development.

Safety Standards

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Utmost protection is crucial when playing cricket; therefore, browse for safe and reliable BSI-approved cricket helmets. Following an ICC directive, on 1 October 2015, it became mandatory for elite cricketers in Australia to only wear helmets that are compliant with BS7928:2013.

Head protectors must pass the facial contact projectile test, which is used to standardise the faceguard so that no ball may pass through it. Every cricket helmet should pass the head protection test. The head protectors are compared to a five-and-a-half-ounce ball and a four-and-three-quarter-ounce ball.

When picking, pay special attention to these standards. Helmets that have been tested by ICC criteria will be labelled as such. Only utilise helmets that are marked. Most of your main brands have their helmets, but you also have speciality brands in the industry, such as Masuri and Shrey, all of which meet safety criteria.

Level of Play

It’s worth evaluating the level of cricket you play. If you play village cricket, you’ll want a more basic functioning helmet. If you play cricket regularly and your game is of a respectable grade, you may want to consider a helmet with better protection or comfort. Top league players and County Academy cricketers will require the maximum level of protection from their cricket helmets.

Also, consider whether you are a bowler or a batter. It makes more sense if you are a batsman who spends a lot of time in the middle or intends to do so. You should spend more on your helmet to ensure that you have a good level of protection and comfort for those long innings you hope to have during the summer.

Sizing

Like any other piece of cricket clothing and equipment, getting the right helmet size is also important. It is as important as getting the right material within. If the cricket helmet’s padding does not fit securely around your head or the chin strap is too slack, the helmet may not absorb shock properly. Many cricket helmets have various levels of adjustability to help ensure a good fit. 

A helmet for cricket, like many other products, can vary in size and fit between brands, and no guidance is guaranteed to be 100% effective. If you’re not sure which size will fit you best, measure your head using a measuring tape. You can do it by placing one end of the tape in the centre of your forehead, just above the brow, and winding it around your head to form a full circle. 

Stop when you reach the centre of your forehead. That’s your size. Choosing the appropriate helmet is an individual procedure as no two heads are alike. We usually recommend that you go to your nearest specialist retailer and try on different helmets until you get the right fit. If you are unable to manage a retailer, take the time to size yourself up and explore the different options available.

Comfort

Each brand will provide different levels of comfort with its helmets. Some brands implement high degrees of padding on the interior of the shell to ensure optimal comfort when wearing their helmets. Not only that, but they also add additional support in the chinstraps, with cups that help the strap fit properly on your chin.

At this point, it is worth mentioning that both entry-level and high-end helmets will meet the safety criteria, implying that no helmet is safer than the other. However, as the price range increases, the helmets become more lightweight and comfortable due to the use of different materials, such as titanium grills, fibreglass shells, and more padding.

Features

The shell of this kind of helmet is intended to provide optimum impact protection and shock absorption to the majority of the batsman’s head. The usage of a grill in conjunction with the helmet provides a high level of protection while minimising the impact on the wearer’s visibility. 

The use of a grill rather than a full-face design is viewed as a necessary compromise, with protection sacrificed in favour of lighter weight, enhanced visibility, and better ventilation. The padding on cricket helmets serves two purposes. First, it acts as a third layer of shock absorption, significantly reducing the impact of a cricket ball impact. 

Second, the cushioning ensures a tight but comfortable fit, preventing the helmet from moving around too much during a stroke or in response to an accident. A secure, well-fitting helmet is essential for optimal play. The chin strap is a crucial component in ensuring that your helmet remains securely in place and, more critically, that any impacts to the grill do not drive it into your face.