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[Kulli]

if players just watched the ball then they wouldn't be needed

I presume you bat without pads also?

[northernboy1987]

if players just watched the ball then they wouldn't be needed

Yeah you're right mate, blokes who get paid to play cricket against the other best players on the planet haven't got a clue, imagine the runs they'd score if they watched the ball.

[alexhilly1492]

if players just watched the ball then they wouldn't be needed

And if they do watch the ball... get one that pops off a length, they then instinctively turn they're head and get clocked on the back of the neck and we have another awful tragedy like the phil Hughes accident, you'd be ok with that?

I'm not entirely sure why people even consider these a bad thing? If they help protect them what's the harm? Personally I don't use one but that's my choice as I feel it will result in a lack of movement if any thing does go wrong but that's just me!

[GoodLeave]

if players just watched the ball then they wouldn't be needed

Tell Adam Voges.

[WalkingWicket37]

if players just watched the ball then they wouldn't be needed

I might have a net with just a stump and no protective equipment, that would encourage me to watch the ball more closely...

[Long hop 1987]

Modern players particuly professionals get hid on the head far more than they did in the past.

This is because of helmets and change in techniques that these have caused.

No helmet is impreganble at the moment and this can been seen by the number of professional players who have suffered from concussion despite wearing a helmet.

A well known ex player from 60/70's whose soon plays for our club suggests that in his day players didn't wear helmets but rarely got hit because they watched the ball. Not only did this mean that they didn't get hit it generally meant they were better hookers and pullers (this is a genralisation clearly there are stilll good hookers and pullers now).

So whilst I would never suggest helmets are a bad thing potentially the regresion in technique which they have caused is causing more players to get hit and they could be leading to more head injuries.

At an amateur level how often does the ball actually get to head height? I play 1 level division below ECB prem so a decent standard but I can count on one hand the balls that go head high during a whole season.

[jimmy23]

I never wore a helmet for 20 years until 3 years ago I top edged a net bowler onto my eye brow narrowly missing my eye socket. Stitches job 3 weeks before a stag do trip to vegas
Now I wear one all the time

[Buzz]

Interesting post, thanks and there is a lot to agree with. Tgere is a clear fall in standards of technique, combined with a significantly more aggressive outlook by batsman which does increase the likelihood of someone being hit in the head.

I have played at Div one level and got peppered. I have also played on terrible pitches at a much lower level and seen bouncers bowled. I haven't seen a reduction in people trying to bowl short!

As for the neck guard argument, I was a late adopter to wearing a lid and probably will at some point buy a neck guard, but haven't gone there as yet.

I have fitted one to my son's lid so he gets used to it before he knows anything different

[Woodyspin]

Neck guard = safety, saftey = higher chance of living life longer... More chance to do sledge the 14 year old that tries to dilshan a quickie.. 

[jimmy23]

I've used both shrey and Masuri with the appropriate neck/stem guards and they don't restrict any movement. Once I have the lid on I can't notice any difference.

[GoodLeave]

I've used both shrey and Masuri with the appropriate neck/stem guards and they don't restrict any movement. Once I have the lid on I can't notice any difference.

Agree. It makes putting the lid on a bit of a faff but once it's on and settled I don't notice mine.

[Calzehbhoy]

Having used the NekTek all last year I can honestly say after the 2nd or 3rd time wearing it you don't even notice it's there apart from the odd sledge you get (never really got someone sledging potentially life saving equipment)

Anybody that wears a helmet I don't know why you wouldn't wear one

[WalkingWicket37]

I've used both shrey and Masuri with the appropriate neck/stem guards and they don't restrict any movement. Once I have the lid on I can't notice any difference.

Masuri I agree but I knew the neck guard was there on my Shrey as it was actually resting against the back of my head.
That said it wasn't irritating or uncomfortable, just different to wearing a lid without one.

[Bwcc]

Anyone doubting these neck guards use watch England's odi today Morgan took one square on the stemguard could no doubt have been a bad injury if it wasn't there

[Ayrtek Cricket]

Through he shot early which exposed the vulnerable area.