Redesigning the cricket helmet

"Correct and rapid decision making is essential for a batsman at the crease and our research could have significance not just for cricket but for other mentally demanding sports and professions where people have to wear head protection.

"We do however stress that improved safety when wearing a helmet far outweighs the small negative effects of wearing one."

The tests, carried out by Dr Neave and colleagues Dr Mark Moss and John Emmet, used a sensitive computerised test battery to measure temperature, hydration and fatigue levels before exercise and after 30 minutes of intense batting practice.

The publication of the Northumbria University research may not have resulted in any significant changes in cricket helmet design on the shelves at sports stores, but it did inspire Ravinder Sembi to look at what might be possible in one of his final degree projects at Ravensbourne College.

Sembi’s cricket helmet allows full ventilation of air around the head, considerably reducing heat build-up compared to enclosed helmet designs with the additional advantage of being much lighter too.

“Since I play a bit of cricket, I noticed a few problems with the existing helmets,” said Sembi. “Also, watching test matches, I noticed that the players were affected with the helmets and even the commentators have mentioned it when games are played in hot conditions.”

“So I researched things further and found the Northumbria research and recognised how little was being done to address the problems, so I created this helmet.”

“At present, cricket helmets provide protection for the batsman’s head from cricket balls but in my mind, they haven’t really addressed all the issues. Cricket helmets protect well, but can discomfort the batsmen, with heat build up, weight issues and vision obstructions. These problems can distract and even distress the batsmen causing him or her to under perform.

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