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[Novak]

Have been reading how it took Cook quite a while to adjust to the new regulation and the lid gap and he was trying to find a solution

I believe 45mm is the regulation these days or there abouts

However a few years ago 5 years ago etc what was the average lid gap on a helmet

Cook talks about his vision was slightly impaired with new lid so seeing the ball slightly late

Obviously one gets used to the lid regulations but just wondered on average what was the gap in mm a few years ago before the regulations came in place ...was it 60mm or more ?

[Ayrtek Cricket]

55-60mm...some county players wanted it bigger at 70-75mm.

[WalkingWicket37]

I played against a bloke the other week who had a new style Masuri from sports direct.

Because he didn't like the gap being so small he'd cut the whole top bar off! That was an accident waiting to happen...

[Novak]

It's a shame the new lid is forcing ppl to take more unsafe measures that was not the idea ...

[SD]

Agreed.  I can see adopting minimum standards for child sizes, but given that adults in the amateur game don't have to wear one at all, it is senseless to adopt standards that make it more likely that adults won't wear on at all because they don't like the restriction on their vision.  It also increases the likelihood of players wearing old helmets that should be replaced. 

[langer17]

I can never understand people complaining about the gap in the helmet just as I can't understand people wanting to buy a cheap box, the two most important parts of the body should have the most protective bits of kit. People need to get over it.

Even if you play lower grade cricket, there is a possibility of top edging the ball into your face, which is why I always wear a helmet, even against the spinners.

[Jaffa]

Glad this is being talked about. I feel though to some degree it is like speeding. We know the rules but when we think no-one is looking we drive at the speed we feel comfortable yet we know increasing the risk increases the likelihood of getting hurt. 

Also in my opinion it is not only the gap that is important but also how far forward the grille is. If the grille is nearer your face older peaks can flex and deflect the ball inwards. Remote chance but it has happened. The Albion Elite helmets have stronger peaks so won't flex as easily but these sit on my ears and make me look like an Elf so I wear a 98. That is my accepted level of risk.

[Buzz]

For me the weight of the lid is moe important than the gap. The lighter the better.

[Seniorplayer]

Glad this is being talked about. I feel though to some degree it is like speeding. We know the rules but when we think no-one is looking we drive at the speed we feel comfortable yet we know increasing the risk increases the likelihood of getting hurt. 

Also in my opinion it is not only the gap that is important but also how far forward the grille is. If the grille is nearer your face older peaks can flex and deflect the ball inwards. Remote chance but it has happened. The Albion Elite helmets have stronger peaks so won't flex as easily but these sit on my ears and make me look like an Elf so I wear a 98. That is my accepted level of risk.

So am i not just the peak that could move i had the top bar of the grilled pushed into  the bridge of my nose leading to an operation to remove bits off the grill  and 50  plus small stiches.

Due to the location of where the brain is  the surgeon said if the top bar had gone any deeper  it could have killed me.

[Mattsky]

@Seniorplayer Blimey. 

What helmet were you using? And was it a steel or titanium grille?

I'm looking to replace my Albion Elite pro, as I top edged one into the peak, which broke in a couple of places. Did its
 job I guess.

Despite neither one meeting current regulations, I'm debating whether to get another Elite (plastic lid, very lightweight) or an Ultimate 98 (carbon fibre lid, better padding but heavier.)

[Jaffa]

@Seniorplayer Blimey. 

What helmet were you using? And was it a steel or titanium grille?

I'm looking to replace my Albion Elite pro, as I top edged one into the peak, which broke in a couple of places. Did its
 job I guess.

Despite neither one meeting current regulations, I'm debating whether to get another Elite (plastic lid, very lightweight) or an Ultimate 98 (carbon fibre lid, better padding but heavier.)

Definitely Blimey @Seniorplayer and then some. When my lid got hit it was just the peak that took the damage but it was the noise that shook me. It was definitely a wake up call. Hate to imagine anything else.

As for Albion I doubt you'll feel the difference in weight between the Elite and Ultimate 98. In your hand maybe but doubtful while wearing; I didn't.

While the Ultimate 98 is carbon fibre the peak flexes just as much as the original 98. That's why if you don't get pixie ears (or at least don't mind getting them) while wearing an Elite, then I'd go for that one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPi4IIH6hs8

[InternalTraining]

I have had a lot of problems with lid gap and bobbing helmets impeding ball tracking.

Whenever I tried to tuck in my head to  play fuller balls, I was missing the ball as in losing the ball while tracking with my eyes. I couldn't figure out what was going on. One day, I drew two parallel lines (few feet apart) on the ground and tracked my eyes from one line to another. One helmet grill clearly didn't allow my eyes to track to the the second line (closer to my feet) as the bottom of the grill kept hitting top of my chest while the other helmet did - the old style Masuri.

International level players obviously get a lot of hours in the nets so they can make the helmets work for themselves but I can see Cook's POV there. As an opener who faces quicks, it was a nightmare adjusting/re-adjusting helmet after every delivery.  I took a long time to adjust back to my old style Masuri.

Despite all the material advances, I feel cricket gear is so crappy and so many problems are STILL not addressed correctly.

[Six Sixes Cricket]

@Seniorplayer Blimey. 

What helmet were you using? And was it a steel or titanium grille?

I'm looking to replace my Albion Elite pro, as I top edged one into the peak, which broke in a couple of places. Did its
 job I guess.

Despite neither one meeting current regulations, I'm debating whether to get another Elite (plastic lid, very lightweight) or an Ultimate 98 (carbon fibre lid, better padding but heavier.)

GM are releasing there new carbon helmet next week, could be a great option, at a very reasonable price

[Novak]

Six sixes guessing lid gap won't be adjustable though

[Six Sixes Cricket]

Six sixes guessing lid gap won't be adjustable though

No not adjustable, but different heads suit different helmets, so vision differs on all helmets