The box and the helmet - protection for cricketers

@JudyEv (318328)
Rockingham, Australia
November 19, 2023 7:58pm CST
I stayed up till midnight to watch the Australian cricket team win the One-Day International game, beating India. My condolences and commiserations to my Indian friends here. I know cricket isn’t very big in some countries so I thought the following might be of interest. Fast bowlers can deliver the ball at high speed, even up to 150 kph (93.2mph). It’s not surprising that should a batter be hit by the ball, it’s going to do some physical damage. From my research, in 1874, the ‘box’ was first worn by batters. This was worn inside the trousers and protected the male genitalia should the batter be unfortunate enough to be hit in that area. This protection is usually only worn by the batter, wicket-keeper and perhaps fielders placed close around the wicket. One hundred years later, cricketers realised their brain was also important and helmets gradually became more common. In 1977, English cricketer Denniss Amiss was made fun of while wearing a customised fibre-glass motorcycle helmet. He knew he would be facing any number of balls travelling at 145 kmh (90 mph) so he had a helmet manufacturer produce a lighter helmet with a visor that could withstand a shotgun blast at 10 yards. Interestingly, if it hadn’t been for the helmet, a ball from South Australian Wayne Prior would have knocked out his teeth.
22 people like this
23 responses
@AmbiePam (79995)
• United States
20 Nov
If I been born in a country where football, baseball, and basketball weren’t the top three sports, I would have been a cricket fan. I am so tired of our prima donna basketball players that if they aired cricket on my airwaves I’d drop basketball for cricket. I’m sure some cable channels in America air cricket, but none of the ones I have, do.
6 people like this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Nov
Cricket is more exciting than it used to be but sometimes it's a bit like watching grass grow or paint dry!
4 people like this
@AmbiePam (79995)
• United States
20 Nov
@JudyEv Yes, baseball is the same.
3 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (44603)
• India
21 Nov
@AmbiePam Cricket is gradually catching up in US with some good sponsors coming up, but needs to catch up a lot. A big stadium in Fort Lauderdale in Florida has even hosted a few International matches, some with West Indies and other teams.
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (163342)
• United States
20 Nov
I am glad there equipment has improved over the years, How like a man, to think of protecting their genitalia first..
5 people like this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Nov
Exactly. It's pretty funny really.
4 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (44603)
• India
20 Nov
The Helmets, elbow guards and the L guard are very vital. Plus helmets also have a grill but still sometimes high speed balls hit the helmets with big ferocity.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Nov
It's very sensible that the players are protected by the various items. Some have been killed by being hit in the head by a ball.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (44603)
• India
21 Nov
@JudyEv Yes I think there have been a few cases.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (44603)
• India
20 Nov
Greetings to Pat Cummins' Aussie team for the win. He got the World Cup trophy from both Indian and Australian prime ministers. Australian bowlers and Travis head were simply superb yesterday. The wickets of Rohit Sharma and Kohli were key. India had a chance when Aussies were 47 for 3. Yet Travis Head and Labuschagne did not give any leeway to the Indian bowlers. Plus 240 was a below par score. It is saddening and very disappointing for the Indian fans. India played this world cup superbly well. 10 wins in a row is not an everyday achievement. But yesterday was not this team's day. I might also bring a post with the topic that what happens that makes Aussies best India in so many World Cup semi final and final. So did you eat a cake celebrating Aussie team's win?
4 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (44603)
• India
21 Nov
@JudyEv Well, a lot is being talked about. I have done another analysis which even if partially true means that somewhere Psychological factors were also involved.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Nov
It was midnight when the match finished so I just went to bed! India had reason to be confident after Australia losing the first two matches but the Aussies were able to regroup and come back to win. I really felt for the Indian players and supporters.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (443826)
• Switzerland
20 Nov
I know nothing of cricket, but I have read the post of an Indian member who was heart broken.
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (443826)
• Switzerland
21 Nov
@JudyEv They were so excited a couple of weeks ago and "sure" to win.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Nov
The stadium was full and there was so much noise but once the outcome looked in doubt, they were much quieter. I think some truly were heart-broken.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Nov
@LadyDuck Their expectations were certainly high - and with good reason. Is cricket played much in Switzerland? I don't think it is but I don't know for sure.
2 people like this
@RubyHawk (100224)
• Atlanta, Georgia
20 Nov
Sports players of years ago were awfully brave to go out on the field without a helmet.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Nov
@RubyHawk The numbers of young men with problems caused by concussion seems to be growing week by week.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (100224)
• Atlanta, Georgia
21 Nov
@JudyEv I think so. Sports are rough on these players.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (100224)
• Atlanta, Georgia
21 Nov
@JudyEv Sports can be dangerous. My boys played in little league but after that went into the band. I was so glad they didn’t want to continue in sports.
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (108897)
• United States
20 Nov
I have seen a few cricket matches in my lifetime Judy thanks. Congrats on the win too by the way. Massive.
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (108897)
• United States
21 Nov
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Nov
The one-day matches are often a lot more interesting than Test matches or whatever.
2 people like this
@jstory07 (130746)
• Roseburg, Oregon
20 Nov
I am glad they have helmets to protect their head.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Nov
The helmets are a very necessary piece of equipment.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (86883)
• Marion, Ohio
20 Nov
Glad they learned to protect the head too. Congratulations
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (86883)
• Marion, Ohio
21 Nov
@JudyEv I can see that happening
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Nov
Some have been killed by being hit in the head. They wouldn't get hit repeatedly as in gridiron, soccer, etc but once would be enough with a cricket ball at those speeds.
2 people like this
@Missmwngi (12955)
• Nairobi, Kenya
20 Nov
Cricket is not big here. Now I know something about it. Thanks for sharing
3 people like this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Nov
You're welcome. I know South Africa has a very strong team but I don't know about the other African states.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (9624)
• United States
20 Nov
This is so interesting. What is the one man doing? The one with no protection? I've never watched a cricket game. Now I want to find one to watch.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Nov
Some matches are pretty boring so maybe find the 'highlights' of a match! In the photo, the one on the right is a batter. There is a batter each end and the man on the left is bowling to the other batter.
3 people like this
@noni1959 (9624)
• United States
20 Nov
@JudyEv I definitely need to watch one to see what all that means. lol I'll see if I can find something on youtube with highlights.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Nov
@noni1959 There is a joke that explains cricket. I just found it. There are variations on this but it's pretty funny: You have two sides, one out in the field and one in. Each man that's in the side that's in goes out, and when he's out he comes in and the next man goes in until he's out. When they are all out, the side that's out comes in and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in, out. Sometimes you get men still in and not out. When a man goes out to go in, the men who are out try to get him out, and when he is out he goes in and the next man in goes out and goes in. There are two men called umpires who stay out all the time and they decide when the men who are in are out. When both sides have been in and all the men have got out, and both sides have been out twice after all the men have been in, including those who are not out, that is the end of the game!
3 people like this
@aninditasen (15157)
• Raurkela, India
20 Nov
Congratulation that the Australian team won. Good nowadays cricketers have lot of things that can protect them from injuries.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Nov
Yes and it''s good that every sport is more aware of safety issues.
2 people like this
@aninditasen (15157)
• Raurkela, India
21 Nov
@JudyEv They have to so that the players stay safe. They are the asset of their country.
2 people like this
@nela13 (55349)
• Portugal
20 Nov
In my country cricket is not a thing, I don't even know if we have a national team
2 people like this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Nov
I just checked and cricket certainly doesn't get a lot of attention in your country. It's good we're all different.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov
@nela13 So true. All the different nationalities and cultures could learn so much from each other if they keep an open mind. It would enrich everyone's lives.
1 person likes this
@nela13 (55349)
• Portugal
21 Nov
@JudyEv I agree, the beauty of the world is in our differences
2 people like this
@Beestring (12635)
• Hong Kong
20 Nov
Cricket is not a big thing here. Helmet is very important to protect the players.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Nov
When a hard cricket ball is travelling towards you at such speed, you need all the protection you can get.
2 people like this
@allknowing (129448)
• India
20 Nov
After winning every single match they played in this event losing was not expected. I think our PM should not have announced his arrival. He seemed a bad omen (lol)
2 people like this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Nov
I know the match was looked forward to keenly by the Indians. They had every reason to expect a win.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (69667)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
20 Nov
Not a sports fan and glad Australia won.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Nov
I don't often watch much sport but this was a bit special and there has been a lot about it on the news, etc.
2 people like this
@just4him (291708)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
21 Nov
They only laugh until it's proved safe and the best device for keeping a person safe.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Nov
Yes, that's true. They've all changed their tunes now.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (139906)
• United States
20 Nov
I'm clueless when it comes to cricket. I'm glad their protective equipment has improved over the years. Have a great week.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Nov
There seems more protective gear for most sports nowadays.
2 people like this
@sarik1 (6257)
21 Nov
It is important. india team is loss in match.game is part of win and loss.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov
One of the teams has to lose. It would be devastating when they both play so well.
2 people like this
• Northampton, England
20 Nov
I know Dennis Amiss and he said the fans shouted wheres your motorbike mate !
2 people like this
@JudyEv (318328)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Nov
Yes, apparently there was a lot of chiacking from the crowd in the early days of wearing helmets.
1 person likes this