The box and the helmet - protection for cricketers
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (352761)
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 (97927)
• United States
20 Nov 23
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
@ptrikha_2 (47834)
• India
21 Nov 23
@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 (189037)
• United States
20 Nov 23
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
@ptrikha_2 (47834)
• India
20 Nov 23
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
@ptrikha_2 (47834)
• India
21 Nov 23
@JudyEv
Yes I think there have been a few cases.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (47834)
• India
20 Nov 23
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?
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 (47834)
• India
21 Nov 23
@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 (352761)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Nov 23
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.
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
@RebeccasFarm (94536)
• Arvada, Colorado
20 Nov 23
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
@wolfgirl569 (115656)
• Marion, Ohio
20 Nov 23
Glad they learned to protect the head too. Congratulations
2 people like this
@Missmwngi (12915)
• Nairobi, Kenya
20 Nov 23
Cricket is not big here. Now I know something about it. Thanks for sharing
3 people like this
@JudyEv (352761)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Nov 23
@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 (17032)
• Raurkela, India
20 Nov 23
Congratulation that the Australian team won. Good nowadays cricketers have lot of things that can protect them from injuries.
2 people like this
@aninditasen (17032)
• Raurkela, India
21 Nov 23
@JudyEv They have to so that the players stay safe. They are the asset of their country.
2 people like this
@Beestring (15332)
• Hong Kong
20 Nov 23
Cricket is not a big thing here. Helmet is very important to protect the players.
3 people like this
@allknowing (145208)
• India
20 Nov 23
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
@RasmaSandra (84684)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
20 Nov 23
Not a sports fan and glad Australia won.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (188025)
• United States
20 Nov 23
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
@thedevilinme (4313)
• Northampton, England
20 Nov 23
I know Dennis Amiss and he said the fans shouted wheres your motorbike mate !
2 people like this
