Print

[MD2812]

Interesting how they talked about the double grille being what saves the ball going through, but didn't discuss why Robson was wearing the single bar grill....

[Stuey]

I don't think anyone else is talking about broads lid as much as we are. I think what this incident and other shows is that a lot more R&D is required from helmet suppliers. Although I'd still rather wear one than not. Hopefully Ayrtek will come back better and stronger.

[Buzz]

it is the Masuri pr campaign that I really don't like.

not really sure why, but I think it is because of their unproven claims and because their lids are so heavy and it is hard to see through the gap.

[The Palmist]

but I think it is because of their unproven claims and because their lids are so heavy and it is hard to see through the gap.

All you see from the grill is the grill. I have no doubt they offer quality protection but because of reduced vision the chances of one getting hit is actually increased.

What does surprise me is the large number of international pros using this series.

It is heavy indeed but the quality and comfort is top notch. None of which matters if you can't see the ball properly.

[Chad]

As an Ayrtek user myself, and having invested heavily on what I thought is the best head protection on the market, (got 2 RAWs and an Elite) this incident obviously has some sort of effect on me. I have actually just tried and succeeded in forcing an adult Readers ball through the grill and peak of the lid of my Elite in the current setting. (Took a little bit of muscle, but I managed it) I don't consider myself to be stupid, (At least not all the time) but I did feel safe with my setting on my helmet. If a simple setting by a human can compromise the function of the helmet, then that setting should be removed. I have now changed the setting to the one which allows for the smallest gap, and the ball no longer fits through no matter how much I try.

Has this shaken my confidence in the product? Well, it's made me question whether I've allowed all the marketing get to my head, and bought what I thought was the safest helmet for 2 of the people I care the most about, as I do not mind spending that extra premium to keep them protected. I do not doubt for a second that Ayrtek was the safest choice back when I purchased these, however there is a sense of frustration, seeing the product that I trusted to protect me 100% allowing a ball to sneak through, and then finding out that it could well have happened to me too! I know I'm probably not going to face bowling above 80mph, but I'd like to think that if it did happen, I would be protected from the ball sneaking through the grill!

I am only giving a balanced view, and as someone who now has complete confidence in his Ayrtek after a slight change, I think that there needs to be a slight tweak to the design, be it not allowing the grill to be set beyond a certain point or perhaps not altered at all. In the end, the product did its job, in that a broken nose was all that happened. It will be interesting to see how the new Masuri will cope if a similar thing happens. With a lot of the England players now wearing it, I have gotten used to the look of it. In a way though, I really hope that they get knocked off their high horse, as they have just been like vultures in this incident. Pointless wishing harm on someone who's wearing their product though, they did nothing wrong!

It's going to hurt Ayrtek for the time being, but in the long run, I'm positive that it will only help to improve their product even more!

[tim2000s]

Chad,  there is another setting where the ball can get through.  On the bottom row of holes,  second hole from the back.  Nick's helmet at the cbf day was set like this and we noticed that the gap was big enough for a ball to get through.



Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk

[cheese]

He has just walked out in the double bar Masuri...

[Gingerbusiness]

Shame I think.

[The Palmist]

Chad and Tim did you notice any issues with visibility with the new grill setting.

[tim2000s]

I've always used the helmet with a narrower grille setting,  so I wasn't affected.  I can't speak for Chad's experience,  but on nick's helmet it narrowed the gap,  which some would say made visibility worse,  if you listened to Atherton this morning.

Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk

[uknsaunders]

I didn't notice any difference in viability, I still missed or miss-timed all the balls I received

[golden duck]

I've always used the helmet with a narrower grille setting,  so I wasn't affected.  I can't speak for Chad's experience,  but on nick's helmet it narrowed the gap,  which some would say made visibility worse,  if you listened to Atherton this morning.

Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk

I'm not surprised Atherton struggled, he had the helmet rocked back so far on his head!

[MD2812]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/28788173

Really good piece on the short ball.

Interesting to hear how Stuart Broads technique means if he misses or top edges it will hit his helmet rather than miss him.

[Chad]

Chad,  there is another setting where the ball can get through.  On the bottom row of holes,  second hole from the back.  Nick's helmet at the cbf day was set like this and we noticed that the gap was big enough for a ball to get through.



Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk

Yeah, I'm sure there are more settings, especially the holes in the bottom row. I now have it in the very top hole, which gives the narrowest setting. The setting I had it at, I could muscle a ball through, and I highly doubt that the force I was pushing at would be anywhere near the force of a top edged 70mph delivery indoors, so I would rather sacrifice the visibility for the safety, which is what I purchased this helmet for!

In my view, as long as your eyes and head are following the ball closely, the slightly hampered visibility shouldn't make a big difference, if any!

Chad and Tim did you notice any issues with visibility with the new grill setting.

Visibility is somewhat sacrificed, but as with almost anything you change equipment wise, you will almost always be able to adapt. (Unless it's too radical a change!)

[Neon Cricket]

We're famous!

https://www.facebook.com/lekkaww/posts/10204621464205410

Personally after being hit on the grill twice with my Ayrtek I wouldn't look elsewhere - yes this incident is unfortunate but hopefully Tom will be able to bounce back from this and get Broad back in an Ayrtek for the next series, I've tried on the double bar Masuri and seriously can't understand why someone would choose it over an Ayrtek - the vision and weight is awful compared!