Cricket Helmet: History, Rules and Safety Evolution
Cricket helmets were not standard until the late 1970s. Learn how helmet design evolved, the current safety standards, and what rules govern when a helmet must be worn.
Before the 1970s, cricketers wore no head protection. A fast bowler like Harold Larwood could target a batter's head — as in the 1932/33 Bodyline series — with only a cap for protection. The modern helmet was introduced in the late 1970s and has now been safety-certified since 2013.
History of the cricket helmet
- 1932: Bodyline series — England bodyline tactics expose the danger of no head protection.
- 1974: Dennis Amiss of England wears a modified motorcycle helmet during a county game — one of the first uses.
- 1977: Tony Greig and other players begin wearing custom helmets in international cricket.
- 1978–1980: Helmets become common for most batters facing fast bowling.
- 2013: British Standards Institution (BSI) publishes PAS 68 — the first mandatory cricket helmet safety standard.
- 2019: BS7928:2019 replaces PAS 68 with stricter testing requirements.
Current helmet rules
At international and first-class level, helmets must meet minimum safety standards (currently BS7928:2019). Batters are recommended but not compelled to wear a helmet. However, close-in fielders (silly point, short leg, forward short leg, leg slip) must wear a helmet when fielding within 15 metres of the bat.
Helmet design today
Modern cricket helmets consist of a rigid outer shell, an inner foam liner, a grille (metal bars protecting the face), and a neck guard. Some helmets now include a titanium or carbon-fibre grille for strength at lower weight. Visors are legal at grass-roots level but rarely used in professional cricket.
Penalty runs for helmet on the field
If a fielding team's helmet (left on the ground or on the pitch) is hit by the ball during play, the batting team is awarded 5 penalty runs under Law 28.3. This law came after incidents where fielding teams left helmets in areas that proved advantageous to them.
Frequently asked questions
When did cricket helmets become standard?
Helmets became common from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The first mandatory safety standard for helmets was published in 2013.
Are cricketers required to wear helmets?
Batters are recommended but not compelled to wear helmets. Close-in fielders within 15 metres of the bat must wear one.
What are the 5 penalty runs for a helmet on the field?
If the ball hits a fielding team's helmet left on the ground or pitch, 5 penalty runs are awarded to the batting team under Law 28.3.