Injuries to junior club cricketers: the effect of helmet regulations.
OBJECTIVE
Despite the popularity of cricket at the junior community level, few studies have described injuries for this level of play. This study describes the epidemiology of cricket injuries in junior club cricket across three playing seasons to identify priorities for prevention.


METHODS
Prospective on-field injury data collection during match observation of acute injuries. Pre and post observational evaluation of mandatory helmet wearing.


METHODS
The Sutherland Shire Junior Cricket Association, New South Wales, Australia during the 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05 playing seasons.


METHODS
All junior teams (Under 8 (U8)-U16).


METHODS
Compulsory headgear introduced for all batters before the 2004-05 season.


METHODS
Frequency of injury according to age level, grade of play and playing position, and injury rates per 100 registered players.


RESULTS
155 injuries were reported. No U8 player sustained an injury, and injury frequency increased with age. Traditional cricket was associated with more injuries than modified cricket. At each age level, the most skilled players had the lowest frequency of injury. Overall, batting accounted for 49% of all injuries and 29% occurred when fielding; contact with a moving ball was responsible for 55% of injuries. The most commonly injured body region was the face (20%), followed by the hand (14%). In batters, the frequency of head/neck/facial injuries fell from 62% in 2002/03 to 35% in 2003-04 to just 4% in 2004-05 after headgear use was compulsory.


CONCLUSIONS
Injury rates in junior players are low, but increase with age and level of play. Use of protective headgear, particularly by batters, leads to a significant reduction in injuries.
NSW Injury Risk Management Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014142:Track and Field / Q000293:injuries / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*