Rogers backs safer helmet directive

Depsite players being slow to take up the newer cricket helmets, former Test batsman Chris Rogers says the rules need to be adhered to.

Former Test opener Chris Rogers has applauded measures taking helmet choice out of the hands of players.

England cricketers Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott defied a directive this month to use the safer England and Wales Cricket Board-approved helmets, which brought them in line with decisions made by Cricket Australia last year, instead reverting to the lids they had worn throughout their careers.

Rogers has suffered several blows to the head in recent seasons, injuries which contributed to his international retirement after last year's Ashes last year.

He credits the Masuri helmet he was wearing with limiting the damage when he was struck - and left dazed - by a delivery during the Lord's Test last year.

The 38-year-old is currently captaining English county side Somerset, and continues to bat with a stem guard helmet - which he says took just one or two days of net sessions to get used to.

Cricket Australia will reportedly hand down the results of an inquiry into player safety commissioned in the wake of Phillip Hughes's death next week, and Rogers insists safety standard cannot be compromised.

"I think if you have standards they probably need to be met," Rogers told AAP.

"They do all the testing and I know you can argue that batsmen want to have comfort and be able to see the ball well, but if there's a rule there it's to be followed as all the other rules are.

"It's a tough one. Some guys feel comfortable in a certain helmet but I think the need to get the protection right is paramount.

"If that means you have to wear a certain helmet then I'm a big believer that you have to."

Cricket Australia introduced new standards for helmets last year, but the immediate response from players - many of whom were reluctant to change.

Test captain Steve Smith preferred to bat without the stem guard helmet until he was struck.

"I know there's a comfort level to it, but things like that if it's available and it's protecting that area, and obviously with what we've seen, it's a very dangerous area," Rogers added.

"If it's available, why not wear it."


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Source: AAP



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