Bassetlaw and District Cricket League Official Handbook 2016

10 Appendices 213 Update: In March 2014 the following guidance was issues. This applies to head protectors worn by all cricketers. New Cricket Head Protector Testing Standard (more commonly known as the Helmet testing standard) The ECB, PCA and the ICC have worked with BSi and head protector manufacturers to develop a new specification for the testing of head protection for cricketers. This specification [was] approved by BSi Group, which is the national body responsible for producing appropriate safety standards in the UK. With cricketers and bowling machines able to deliver cricket balls at high speeds, and given the obvious importance of protecting against head injuries wherever possible, head protectors are an essential part of a cricketer’s kit. It is important that individuals understand how the new specification [has applied] to head protectors on sale from Spring/ Summer 2014. The key features of the new specification, BS7928:2013 , are: 1. it now includes a facial contact projectile test that assesses for penetration of the ball through the faceguard, and contact of the faceguard onto the face, using realistic ball impact speeds and conditions; and 2. head protectors have been tested separately against men’s and junior sized cricket balls (a five-and-a-half-ounce ball and a four-and-three- quarter ounce ball, respectively). Head protectors that have been tested against the new standard will be clearly labelled with “ BS7928:2013 ” and will contain clear labelling setting out whether a head protector has been tested against: i) men’s standard ball size of 5 ½ ounces, ii) junior standard ball size of 4 ¾ ounces, or iii) both men’s and junior size balls. The manufacturers have advised that there is currently no specific women’s head protector and so there is no specific standard for women’s cricket head protectors. As the size of the standard women’s cricket ball is between the standard men and junior balls, it is recommended that women use head protectors that have been tested against both the men’s and junior sized ball or at least against the junior size ball (as the smaller ball could potentially get through the gap above the face guard on a men’s head protector).