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[Rowan]

Hey everyone, ive been asked to do some keeping for my school 1stXI, my dad makes me wear a helmet when keeping. This is mainly due to the braces that I used to have, and the associated costs!. do you think a mouthguard such as shock doctor would protect the teeth just as well as a helmet?, because I hate wearing a lid all day especially against pace as it gets too hot.

[Cowcorner]

It's not just about your teeth - cracked eye socket, cheekbone, broken nose/jaw or even a stump to the eye socket are treats you can receive as a wicket keeper to name but a few! You might get a bit warm on a hot summers day but better that that a cricket ball to the face! I'd stick to the helmet if I were you....

[WalkingWicket37]

Hey everyone, ive been asked to do some keeping for my school 1stXI, my dad makes me wear a helmet when keeping. This is mainly due to the braces that I used to have, and the associated costs!. do you think a mouthguard such as shock doctor would protect the teeth just as well as a helmet?, because I hate wearing a lid all day especially against pace as it gets too hot.

By the fact you have stated it's for your school, I'm assuming you're under 18?? If I'm right you legally have to wear a lid when standing up.
And you only need to wear a lid when you're standing up to the stumps anyway, if you wear it standing back you look village!

[billyb]

You may as well mate, it hurts being hit in the face, from experience.

Even standing back, I went to A&E once after an U17 game with a broken wrist, and found 2 wicket-keepers from rival teams with ice packs all over the place and horrendous black eyes... The ground was moist and apparently, even standing back, the pitch caught them out.
Safety first, you are only young once, why put part of the season at risk?

[joeljonno]

Our keeper is 50-odd and never wore a lid. He's always wear a gum-shield though because teeth cost a lot to get fixed.

If you keep regularly, I'd suggest looking at gum shields as you wont want to wear a lid standing back all the time. If you are wearing a lid, there's no need for a gum shield as well, if it is only occasionally.

[mike1989]

I had to wear a lid when keeping up at the wickets back when I was a junior at my club, though I don't recall wearing one when I kept for school...

That aside as a junior you have to wear a lid keeping up at the stumps, and I'd recommend any inexperienced keeper to do the same regardless of age.

I personally don't wear one stood up unless the pitch is moist enough to make the bounce unpredictable, at which point I stick a lid on to be safe. As let's face it, if I misjudge one my nose is a big target!

A gum shield is a worthwhile purchase for a keeper.

[cricketbadger]

Having also had braces, I use a mouthguard