Cricket Australia (CA) has introduced a mandatory neck guard for domestic and international players. The rule will come into effect from October 1.
In preparation for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) 2023-24 season, CA has unveiled a set of new regulations, including the compulsory use of neck guards. Players who do not adhere to the new rules will face sanctions as per the guidelines.
“Protecting the head and neck is extremely important in our sport. The neck protector product has come a long way in recent years and the decision to make them mandatory comes off the back of a lot of advice and consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders,” said Peter Roach, CA’s Head of Cricket Operations and Scheduling.
CA has been advocating for the adoption of neck protectors since the tragic incident involving Phillip Hughes in 2014. However, several prominent batters, including David Warner and Steve Smith, had previously chosen not to wear them.
The CA rule changes include the removal of the automatic six-run bonus awarded to batters for hitting the roof of Melbourne’s Docklands Stadium during BBL matches. The use of Covid-19 replacements, which allowed players who tested positive for the virus to be substituted, has been discontinued.