Helmets in Cricket

There are recorded instances of cricketers using towels, scarves and padded caps to protect themselves throughout cricket history.

Patsy Hendren was one of the first to use a self designed protective hat in the 1930s. Helmets were not in common use until the 1970s. Mike Brearley was another player who wore his own design.

Graham Yallop of Australia was the first to wear a protective helmet to a test match on 17 March 1978 when playing against West Indies at Bridgetown. Later Dennis Amiss of England popularized it in Test cricket.

Tony Greig was of the opinion that helmets would make cricket more dangerous by encouraging bowlers to bounce the batsmen.