ECB makes helmets mandatory

Confirming the news, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief medical officer Nick Peirce said that they have decided to take appropriate precautions keeping in view the significant injuries that have been observed from the cricket ball.

Peirce also urged players to ensure that their helmet meets the latest British safety standard, Sport24 reported.

The rule came in the wake of the former Australian batsman Phillip Hughes' death, who was struck by a bouncer on the back of the neck during a domestic match in Sydney.

Meanwhile, Former Australia batsman Chris Rogers has expressed surprise over batsmen's decision, who chose not to wear 'StemGuards', insisting that neckguards on helmets should be made mandatory in order to provide increased protection against head injury.

Speaking at the first ever day-night Test between Australia and New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval, the 38-year-old former opener said that he couldn't believe that the stemguards had not been made compulsory yet and called for its immediate implementation, News.com.au reported.

Stemguard, a device made of foam and a rubber-like compound that clips onto the back of a helmet, is aimed to give extra protection at the rear.

The tragic demise of former batsmen Phillip Hughes last year triggered calls for the equipment to be made mandatory.

Referring to the tragic demise of Hughes, Rogers said that the incident has changed the game and made them realise that they were not invincible. He added that the incident was one of the hardest times he had ever had in his life.