Helmet Policy

Major Association (MA) representative teams competing in NZC national tournaments from under 17 and above.
This policy applies to teams competing at national under 17, under 19, under 21 women and Provincial A tournaments; and anyone invited to train with the above teams/squads.

The wearing of helmets is mandatory for all players in MA representative teams competing in NZC national competitions and/or tournaments. Helmets must comply with BS 7928: 2013.

The policy applies when batting against fast or medium paced bowling, wicket-keeping (up to the stumps) or fielding in close (with 7 metres of the stumps, excluding behind the wicket on the offside). It is also strongly recommended that a helmet is worn when batting against spin bowling.

Any individual with responsibility for players (such as a coach or manager), together with Match Officials, should take all reasonable steps to ensure that the above guidelines are followed.

Women must use helmets which have been tested against both the men’s and junior sized ball or at least against the junior size ball.

National representative teams playing international cricket and MA representative teams competing in NZC national competitions.

BS 7928: 2013 Compliant helmets are mandatory for all BLACKCAPS, WHITE FERNS, NZ A, NZXI, NZ under 19 and any other national teams; men’s first class, men’s and women’s List A and T20 and anyone invited to train with the above teams/squads.

The policy applies when batting against fast or medium paced bowling, wicket-keeping (up to the stumps) or fielding in close (with 7 metres of the stumps, excluding behind the wicket on the offside). It is also strongly recommended that a compliant helmet is worn when batting against spin bowling.

Any individual with responsibility for players (such as a coach or manager), together with Match Officials, should take all reasonable steps to ensure that the above guidelines are followed. British Standard helmets (BS 7928: 2013) are considered “best of breed” helmets and supersede the existing Australian/NZ Standard (AS/NZS 4499 series).

Women must use helmets which have been tested against both the men’s and junior sized ball or at least against the junior size ball.

National representative teams playing international cricket and MA representative teams competing in NZC national competitions.
BS 7928: 2013 Enforcement:

• Each MA must make the helmet policy available to all men’s first class, men’s and women’s List A and T20 players, team managers and coaching staff.
• Each MA should verify it has received its allocation of Masuri BS 7928: 2013 compliant helmets and they have been made available to men’s first class, men’s and women’s List A and T20 players for the duration of the season.
• Each MA must verify that the helmets to be used by men’s first class, men’s and women’s List A and T20 players have the BS7928: 2013 sticker inside of the helmet and that helmets which are only compliant with previous safety standards (e.g. BS 7928: 1998 or AS/NZS 4499.1:1997) have been isolated and removed.
• Each MA should brief your team managers around the expectation that the helmet policy is tightly and closely enforced.
• Each MA should ensure that the coaches, players and team managers have a copy of the most recent list of compliant helmets (available from NZC).
• Coaches and team managers should be briefed on the actions to be taken should a player choose wear a non-compliant helmet when batting.
• The Match Referee/Umpires will endeavour to ensure that a helmet complies with BS 7928: 2013.
• If the Match Referees/Umpires become aware that a player is wearing a non-compliant helmet without the prior dispensation approval, the match can be suspended until the player complies with the helmet policy.
• A refreshed list of compliant helmets can be found at: www.ecb.co.uk/helmets

Safety in the Nets:
Practise nets are also a dangerous environment and the following should be explained to men’s first class, men’s and women’s List A and T20 cricketers:

• Helmets must be worn when batting in the nets.
• NZC also recommend that helmets are also worn by those people providing throw-downs.
• Only the immediate coaching staff, batters and bowlers should be in the nets during a practise session.
• Be alert! Bowlers also need to be aware of activity taking place in adjacent nets.

Please note that in addition to the above, NZC are exploring measures designed to improve the safety of nets across the country.

MA representative teams competing in NZC national tournaments from under 17 and above.
Enforcement:

• Each MA must make the helmet policy available to all under 17, under 19, under 21 and provincial A players, team managers and coaching staff.
• Each MA should brief your team managers around the expectation that the helmet policy is tightly and closely enforced.
• 8 Coaches and team managers should be aware that the match can be suspended until the player complies with the helmet policy.
• The helmets must be BS7928: 2013 compliant.

Safety in the Nets:

• Practise nets are also a dangerous environment and the following should be explained to all under 17, under 19, under 21 and provincial A players, team managers and coaching staff.
• Helmets must be worn when batting in the nets.
• NZC also recommend that helmets are also worn by those people providing throw-downs.
• Only the immediate coaching staff, batters and bowlers should be in the nets during a practise session.
• Be alert! Bowlers also need to be aware of activity taking place in adjacent nets.

Helmet Replacement Policy:
A helmet must be replaced as follows:

• After a severe impact from a cricket ball.
• If you can see or feel any damage to any part of the head protector.
• After a hard knock or squashing it.
• At the professional level each team should carry enough helmets to provide replacements.

There should not be any helmets made available to any player which are non-compliant.

All helmets must comply with BS 7928: 2013.