Every athlete, including cricket players, is vulnerable to injury at some point during their careers. Players must exercise extreme caution when participating in the game, as one major injury can result in a complete career change. This is why players utilize face gear or other forms of protection to decrease their risk as much as possible.
Because they are closest to the cricket pitch, the batter, wicketkeeper, players in the slip cordon (in Test cricket), and umpires all wear helmets or other cricketing devices to protect themselves from the ball. The bowlers are the ones who have the most contact with the ball.
Warren Barnes wore a face gear in Super Smash T20 Championship
Warren Barnes of the Otago Volts cricket team was the first to set the trend when he and Rob Walters created protective gear for bowlers. Barnes tried it out against the Northern Knights in a Super Smash T20 final match in 2017.
Prior to his experiment, he had not been injured, but there had been times when bowlers were hit by the ball and the bruises put them in a tough position.
The protective gear had no effect on his play, as he went on to take three wickets in that game. He appeared to be quite confident in his game, as the face mask had reduced the possibility of injury.
Andrew Ellis wore a face gear while playing for Canterbury
Ellis was hit on the head by Auckland’s Jeet Raval while playing for Canterbury and was forced off the field with a significant injury. The ball hit him in the head and bounced off for a six.
He was then replaced by a concussion sub, although he eventually returned to finish the game. He was observed wearing a helmet in Canterbury’s next season to avoid what had occurred to him the year before.
The helmet looked similar to those used by baseball players. He’d gone through a terrifying experience, and he didn’t want it to happen again and evolve into something more serious.
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Deandra Dottin wore a face gear in WWC 2017
After suffering an injury to her cheekbone and requiring surgery to recover, one of the most dangerous all-rounders in the West Indies women’s cricket squad was seen wearing a face mask.
Dottin collided with her Brisbane Heat teammate Laura Harris while attempting to stop the ball from falling over the ropes during a Women’s Big Bash League game, breaking her cheekbone in the process.
Her face was repaired with several titanium plates and screws; she did not fully recover, but she was still an important player on the team during the 2017 Women’s World Cup. Throughout the competition, she was seen wearing a hat.
Rishi Dhawan wore a face gear in IPL 2022
Rishi Dhawan is the most recent addition to this group, having been spotted wearing headgear during an IPL 2022 match against the Chennai Super Kings on Monday, April 25th. A video of him donning the helmet during one of their practice sessions was also released by Punjab Kings.
During the 2021-22 Ranji Trophy season, Dhawan had a serious nose injury. The captain of the Himachal Pradesh team had surgery shortly before the IPL began, and as a result, he had to miss the first few games of the season.
After a five-year absence, Dhawan returned to the IPL. He made a strong showing at the Vijay Hazare Trophy, leading his side to their maiden victory.
