Sydney, Sep 14: Every Australian player in international and domestic cricket will be required to wear neck protectors from October 1, or face sanctions under new rules to be introduced by Cricket Australia.
Changes to CA’s playing conditions for the 2023-24 season make it mandatory for batters in all CA-sanctioned competitions to wear the neck protectors that are fixed or fitted to the rear of batting helmets when facing fast or medium pace bowling, states Cricket Australia.
The changes will impact several of Australia’s international batters, including David Warner, Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja, who do not currently wear the protectors when batting. CA will make wearing neck protection at international training and matches mandatory via a change to its clothing and equipment regulations.
Of the current Australian white-ball squad in South Africa, Warner, Tim David and Josh Inglis are the batters who have not been wearing neck protectors.
CA had recommended the use of neck protectors since their introduction following the tragic death of Phillip Hughes but several veteran players have been reluctant to take them up.
Smith, who was not wearing a neck guard when struck by Jofra Archer at Lord’s in the 2019 Ashes, said that year they made him “feel claustrophobic”.
“I’ve tried them before and I tried them the other day when I was batting (in the nets) and I reckon my heart rate went up about 30 or 40 straight away,” Smith said in 2019.
“I just feel claustrophobic. I compare it to being stuck in an MRI scan machine,” Smith added before conceding” “I’m going to have to get used to them.”
“I’m sure the more I wear them, the more I practice with them, my heart rate will come down and everything will be OK.”
Warner said in 2016 that he does “not and will not wear” one because it “digs into” his neck and is a distraction. (IANS)
