OUT: Helmets

Index
Helmets The introduction of helmets into the game, greeted by many a raised eyebrow in the early days, is now accepted as a sensible safety precaution. Players should nevertheless ensure that the helmets they use are properly fitted, since an ill-fitting helmet can potentially be as, or more, dangerous than not wearing one at all. A helmet should also be fitted with a visor to protect the face There are certain rules about helmets. The first is that, much to their delight, umpires are not required to look after them when they are not being worn! A helmet that is temporarily not being worn by a member of the fielding side must be placed on the ground behind the wicket-keeper. If the ball hits it while in play it instantly becomes a Dead ball and 5 Penalty runs are awarded to the batting side If the ball is hit by the striker and comes into contact with a fielder's helmet while it is being worn, it does not become a Dead ball, but a fair catch cannot subsequently be taken - nor should the striker be given out Run out if he is out of his ground and the ball rebounds directly from a fielder's helmet into his wicket. In the same way the striker should not be given out Stumped if out of his ground when the ball rebounds directly from a wicket-keeper's helmet on to the stumps - directly meaning straight on to the helmet and thence on to the wicket. Nevertheless, batters should be aware that the ball is not dead if this happens. They are still vulnerable to being out - for instance Run out - by a subsequent action of a fielder If a batter chooses to take off his helmet he is not allowed to leave it on the field of play; it must be removed from it. If the ball hits a batter's helmet while it is being worn, the ball does not become dead, unless it lodges in the helmet or, as more usually happens, the visor itself. It remains in play. So if, for example, the striker hits a ball that hits the non-striker on the helmet, then ricochets and is fairly caught by a fielder, the striker would be out Caught!