DUBAI: The International Cricket Council has announced new helmet safety regulations in men’s and women’s international matches.
The new regulations, which have been incorporated in the ICC Clothing and Equipment Regulations effective 1 January 2017, do not make it compulsory to wear a helmet when batting, but when a batsman elects to wear a helmet it must be compliant with the new British Standard BS7928:2013.
The regulations will be enforced in international cricket from 1 February.
An official warning will be issued after each of the first two matches in which a non-compliant helmet is worn, and if there is a third breach of regulations the player will be suspended for one-match.
ICC’s general manager Cricket, Geoff Allardice, said the aim is to get all players to wear the safest helmets available.
“Our number one priority is to have all batsmen wearing the safest helmets available rather than to see players sanctioned. It has been pleasing to see that the vast majority of international players have been wearing compliant helmets since 1 January, but some teams have requested more time to assist them in implementing the new regulation before the sanctioning process commences.”
“As such, the extension was granted to enable all teams and players to comply, and after this time the regulations will be strictly enforced,” Allardice said.
The regulations were introduced following recommendation by the ICC cricket committee at their last meeting in June 2016.
