Some players have threatened to walk away from the game but Dubbo District Cricket Association (DDCA) president Jeff Shanks insists there's no point fighting the new helmet rule.
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The DDCA has approved a strong recommendation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) making it mandatory for players to wear a helmet while battling, wicket-keeping up to the stumps, and when fielding close to the bat in the upcoming 2019/20 season.
The decision was confirmed at the DDCA annual general meeting last month, and there has been some amount of outcry since.
Some players have even threatened to walk away from the game or retire following the announcement, but Shanks doesn't anticipate any great drop off in numbers.
"Other associations who have adopted this have said there's been a very minimal impact in terms of the loss of players," Shanks said.
"A lot of the time those who were upset at first loved the game so much they ended coming back and just getting a helmet anyway."
Much of the resistance, according to Shanks, has come from older players who have not worn a helmet for a long period and those in the RSL-Kelly Cup third grade competition.
Batsmen in that competition will have to wear helmets for the entirety of those 40-over-an-innings matches, regardless of the pace of the bowlers.
In the RSL-Whitney Cup and RSL-Pinnington Cup first and second grade competitions respectively where a non-playing badged umpire is officiating, players will only have to wear helmets against what is judged fast or medium bowling.
They will be able to take them off against slow or spin bowling.
"It's completely at the discretion of the umpire," Shanks said, speaking of what is declared medium or slow.
"There may be some variation from umpire to umpire, but I can't see there being too much."
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Wicket-keepers will also have to wear a helmet when up at the stumps regardless of the bowler's pace while fielders, excluding those in the slips cordon, within seven metres of the bat will also have to wear helmets.
"It's an order from the ICC after a number of incidents across a number of years. The most notable of which is Phillip Hughes," Shanks said, speaking of the Australian batsman who died as a result of a short-pitched ball which hit him in the neck in 2014.
"There's been a lot of research into head injuries from cricket balls. There's been things like busted eye sockets and broken jaws."
All helmets must also be a British-standard 2013 helmet or better.
These much be purchased by the individual players or clubs, but Shanks said grants from Cricket NSW are available for cricket clubs.
Anyone who goes against the rules will see themselves and their team punished.
Shanks confirmed a five run penalty, citing leading to suspension and in serious scenarios forfeiting the match are all possible, albeit unlikely, punishments.
The wording for all the penalties has been provided by Cricket Australia.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
