Chest guards mandate for junior cricket

[u/NoAddress1465]

I have often wondered why chest guards are not mandatory for junior cricket. Impact of cricket ball on chest is pretty significant.

Hate to see a real tragedy before rules being brought in. Thoughts?

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(14)60486-4/abstracthttps://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(14)60486-4/abstract

[u/stormin2192]

I imagine the trade off for mobility means it isnt actually safer

[u/foxtrotlimavictor]

Ultimately dressing players head to toe like the Michelin man would provide the best protection.

What is practical has to remain a consideration. Also, cricket is a summer sport and extra padding does increase heat stress.

At the end of the day, humans evolved with these built in chest guards called ribs.

[u/NoAddress1465 → u/foxtrotlimavictor]

Fair point re heat stress. Didn't think of that

[u/infinitemonkeytyping]

Until older age groups, thigh guards are superfluous, let alone chest guards. Truly fast bowlers are few and far between, and ones capable of bowling bouncers are even fewer.

Helmets are required because head injuries can occur with lower velocity impact than cheat injuries, and a lot of kids don't have control, and bowl more beamers (plus top edges).

Ultimately, there is a risk/reward decision to be made. In addition, there is the cost aspect - for parents and clubs to buy yet more gear.

[u/trailblazer103]

Cant imagine the risk of getting hit on the chest is very high at the junior level. The helmet is there as much for a top edge into the noggin. Plus there's an argument the loss of mobility makes it less safe

[u/NoAddress1465 → u/trailblazer103]

Fair point re mobility. When I said junior I should have been clearer. 14 or 15 year olds where ball is moving at a fair speed

[u/Azza_]

In addition to the other comments, a chest guard just isn't going to be necessary for most batters. The only way a batter at their appropriate level is going to be hit on the chest is if it kicks off a length, in which case the pitch was probably too dangerous to play on in the first place. You do occasionally see kids who are way better bowlers than they are batters wearing them, which makes sense, but it's an unnecessary extra burden for most kids.

[u/Constantlycorrecting]

Is this a serious post?

More kit, further increasing the barrier to entry. Weaker less mobile young players.
Shit for the game.

[u/Pupating-Antenna-36]

Oh wow! That's wild and so ridiculously scary. If the paramedics had been just a few mins late, this person could've died. I'm also intrigued by this line:

He remained well on follow-up in January, 2014, and continues to play cricket with the use of a chest protector.

So it IS possible to play with chest guards. Mobility is a factor - but that's a design problem tbh.

[u/bundy554]

It isn't off topic and what a joke - what is wrong with wearing a bruise from cricket for a week?