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[jamielsn15]

It has to be virtually impossible to totally eliminate risk, you can surely only minimise it.  There appear to be way too variables to eliminate risk 100%, as many have described - not least angle of the edge and Broad's head position for the attacking shot as opposed to evading the ball.

To re-use the car crash analogy, a seat belt will save your life, but it won't guarantee you will be injury-free...

[fasteddie]

I watched it for the first time last night ( I wanted to wait to see the highlights package and India's collapse)

There are two objects which fly from the helmet after impact.

One object looked like a thick(ish) sliver, which could well be the brim splitting.

With regard to the safety element, I recall when I rode motorbikes, a while back, being told that if I dropped my helmet it would weaken on the impact area. It is a reasonable assumption that the helmet may be a good age and had a lot of use, hence wear and tear.

Is that the case with the modern materials and construction? What material was his lid made of?

[tim2000s]

Is that the case with the modern materials and construction? What material was his lid made of?

According to the Ayrtek website, the PremierTek helmet (which is what I believe he wears) is constructed from "high impact injection-moulded plastic".

[Stuey]

According to the Ayrtek website, the PremierTek helmet (which is what I believe he wears) is constructed from "high impact injection-moulded plastic".

Begs the question, as a pro why wouldn't you wear the best protection available? i.e. according to Ayrtek the Adipower Rawtek

[keysersolze]

Guys,
You might want to lay of Ayrtek a bit as one fail from probably millions of hits world wide on their helmets does not not make for an inferior/faulty product. I am sure when Ayrtek have analysed it all they will respond to all the criticisms etc. Also knowing Tom he will be looking at new designs etc to make sure this never happens again.

[Jimmyg]

I've only seen one person who (predictably) has used the incident to criticise the product, the rest of the posts haven't been critical of the helmet, beyond saying the grille appeared to had quite a wide gap and why an international player would be using the helmet that's bottom of the range.

[tim2000s]

Guys,
You might want to lay of Ayrtek a bit as one fail from probably millions of hits world wide on their helmets does not not make for an inferior/faulty product. I am sure when Ayrtek have analysed it all they will respond to all the criticisms etc. Also knowing Tom he will be looking at new designs etc to make sure this never happens again.

I think the overwhelming sentiment has been one of "how did that happen?" It's generated some significant discussion, and has caused people to look a bit deeper at how helmets work and what they can and can't do. As mentioned, only one person has really jumped on the criticism bandwagon, and his reaction was wholly expected.

As many have said, we all await the outcome of the discussions and investigations that are undoubtedly going on at the moment that Tom will be right in the middle of. I think the most shocking thing for everyone was the ease with which the ball slipped through, especially when compared to the gap that many of us immediately went away and checked on our own Ayrtek helmets.

[Number4]

Is it me or does the gap on this look way too big?

http://twitpic.com/e9sqzq

[tim2000s]

Is it me or does the gap on this look way too big?

http://twitpic.com/e9sqzq

Agreed. Much, much wider than on mine. Reckon a ball would fit through that easily.

[arsenal123]

Anyone notice on the Ayrtek twitter page the day before Broad got injured they posted a photo of Broad stating "Feedback aids evolution, few tweaks made to Stuart Boards latest PremierTek to further improve its finish".

Interesting timing!

[golden duck]

I wonder if broady had requested a 'slightly larger gap' and that was the 'evolution' refered to in teh tweet?

As Tim (?) said, when we heard about it we dug my helmet out and tried to get the ball through the gap - nope, couldn't get it to happen.  It was interesting when they did an small 'experiment' on the verdict where they showed an older helmet and just pushed a ball through (I guess they either couldn't get an ayrtek at short notice - or if they did it didn't show what they wanted it too which was a ball going through the gap easily).

I can say that I've top edged one of our faster bowlers in the nets and was hit right in the gap between grill and peak.  Ball didn't go through for me!!

Re broad not using the top of the line.  I'd guess it was an advertising thing so that adidas can show the full range etc (although as the headline england player to wear one, I'd have thought they would get him in the top spec one as well)

[Liam-SCCC]

Maybe Broad doesn't use the top of the line one because he doesn't like the ACIS liner?

[Liam-SCCC]

No I think butler has cut a bar out on his, check again

I don't think Buttler would cut a bar off, check this picture I got from Aus Cricket twitter.

This helmet has the twin bar on the ear piece but the top bar doesn't carry round into a full bar, same as Buttler, maybe it's a pro only edition as they didn't like the Double bar?



EDIT: It would appear I was misled by incorrect pictures on the talent cricket website and the helmet in the picture is available to is in the link that is posted with the quote of this post on the next page.

[Neon Cricket]

Maybe Broad doesn't use the top of the line one because he doesn't like the ACIS liner?

I'd presume this is the reason

[trypewriter]

Agreed. Much, much wider than on mine. Reckon a ball would fit through that easily.

But of course - that is after a ball has gone through it.