In Last Cricket World Cup, Sangakkara Gives New-look Helmet a 'Debut'
Kumar Sangakkara is the first player to wear a new-look helmet during the Cricket World Cup.
Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara on Sunday became the first player to sport the new-look Masuri helmet that has a StemGuard clip-on safety attachment. He wore the helmet during Sri Lanka's Cricket World Cup 2015 match against Australia in Sydney.(Phillip Hughes Dies)
British manufacturer Masuri earlier this month unveiled the StemGuard -- made of honeycomb plastic and foam -- which offers additional protection to the exposed back of the head and neck, the area where Australia batsman Phillip Hughes was hit during a Sheffield Shield match in November 2014. Hughes succumbed to the head injury.('Hughes Was Wearing Older Helmet')
Masuri has been providing StemGuards to the world's cricketing governing bodies so players can trial them. A man who has always given innovations a thumbs up, Sangakkara was the first to wear one.
Masuri Managing Director Sam Miller said: "Masuri has worked tirelessly to develop a safety attachment for its helmets since the Phillip Hughes tragedy.(Phil Hughes death a 'freakish' accident, says doctor)
"It is extremely pleasing to see Kumar Sangakkara wearing our StemGuard clip-on attachment. He is making a statement on player safety by becoming the first player to wear it.(Hughes' death sends shock wave through cricketing fraternity)
"Our objective for the last three months has been to make available, as quickly as possible, a guard that offers players extra protection for the vulnerable area at the back of the head and neck.
"Cricket Australia has been extremely supportive of these efforts and their input has helped significantly."
Cricket Australia High Performance chief Pat Howard recently backed the use of the StemGuard. Howard said: "It's really quite innovative and some players are very receptive to trying it. Players will be given an opportunity to try it out in a game outside an international, but work our way up."
The ICC Member cricket Boards have recently agreed that the new British Safety Standard should be the de facto international standard for cricket helmets.