ECB rules helmets must be worn in county cricket

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the changes, following a joint review with the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA), which will see male and female professional players required to use helmets which meet the latest British Safety Standard.

The change in helmet regulations comes a year on from the tragic death of Australia batsman Phil Hughes after he was struck on the neck, just below the helmet he was wearing, while playing for New South Wales in Sydney.

Former England and Somerset wicketkeeper-batsman Craig Kieswetter was also forced to retire from the game after he was struck in the face by a bouncer while playing in the LV= County Championship in 2014.

The regulation change will apply to batsmen facing all types of bowling, wicketkeepers standing up to the wicket and fielders closer than eight yards from the batsman's middle stump, except behind the wicket on the off side.

ECB chief medical officer Dr Nick Peirce said: "We can see from our injury surveillance that cricket is not a dangerous sport in comparison to many other leisure activities.

"However, as we have seen in recent times, the cricket ball can cause significant injury and it is extremely important that players take the appropriate precautions when batting, keeping wicket or fielding close to the stumps.

"The latest cricket helmets have made significant strides in providing protection against potentially catastrophic injury and we would strongly advise all players to make sure their helmet conforms to the latest British Safety Standard."

He added that the ruling was " a major step forward" that "will help make first-class cricket safer as well as sending a strong message to the recreational game about the importance of helmet safety".

The ECB has recommended that recreational cricketers follow the new helmet regulations, while the use of protective headgear is already mandatory for all under-18s within the recreational game.