Effective 1 January 2017, the ICC incorporated into the ICC Clothing and Equipment Regulations a regulation that stipulates if any player when batting elects to wear a helmet, in international cricket, that it must be compliant with the new British Standard (BSi) - BS7928:2013.
Key features of the new specification, BS7928:2013
- It now includes a facial contact projectile test that assesses for penetration of the ball through the faceguard, and contact of the faceguard onto the face, using realistic ball impact speeds and conditions.
- Head protectors have been tested separately against men’s and junior sized cricket balls (a five-and-a-half ounce ball and a four-and-three-quarter ounce ball, respectively).
Purchasing a helmet
When purchasing a new helmet, it is important to look at the label. Head protectors that have been tested against and comply with the new specification will be clearly labelled “BS7928:2013” and will contain clear labelling setting out whether the head protector has been tested against
(i) a men’s standard ball size of 5 ½ ounces,
(ii) a junior standard ball size of 4 ¾ ounces, or
(iii) both men’s and junior size balls.
The list of known helmets that met the BSi (BS7928:13), is below.
About the List
The list distinguishes between helmets which are approved for use in senior (men’s) and junior cricket, and also includes some helmets which have been approved for use at both levels.
There is neither a pre-existing specific women’s helmet nor is there any BSi specification.However, as the size of the standard women’s cricket ball is between the standard men’s and junior’s balls, it is recommended that women use helmets which have been tested against both the men’s and junior sized ball or at least against the junior size ball (because the smaller ball could potentially get through the gap above the faceguard on a men’s helmet).
ICC Clothing and Equipment Regulations