title: Batting head injury in professional cricket: a systematic video analysis of helmet safety characteristics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Batters in cricket are continuing to sustain head and facial injuries despite wearing protective helmets.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To gain an understanding of the types and mechanisms of head injuries sustained by batters wearing a helmet.
  
  
  METHODS
  Injury type, location and mechanism were categorised via analysis of 35 videos of National or International cricketers sustaining a head injury while batting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  53% of the injuries occurred following ball impact to either the helmet faceguard and peak, or the faceguard alone. Ten injuries (29%) resulted from the ball penetrating the gap between the helmet peak and faceguard. 29% of the injuries involved the ball contacting the face following penetration of the gap between the helmet peak and faceguard. Fractures, lacerations and contusions were the most common injuries associated with face or faceguard impacts while concussion was more commonly associated with impacts to the side or rear of the helmet shell. Many of the injuries described resulted in prolonged or permanent absence from cricket.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant head and facial injuries occur in cricket batters despite wearing of helmets. Cricket helmet design and associated National and International Safety Standards should be improved to provide increased protection against head injury related to ball impact to the faceguard and shell of the helmet.
authors: Cardiff School of Sport, Cardiff Metropolitan University-UWIC, Cardiff, Wales, UK. cranson@cardiffmet.ac.uk
authors: Craig
authors: C
authors: Ranson
authors: Nicholas
authors: N
authors: Peirce
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Young
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000209:etiology; D003288:Contusions / Q000209:etiology; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000209:etiology; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000209:etiology; D014142:Track and Field / Q000293:injuries*; D014741:Video Recording
keywords: Cricket; Head injuries; Injury Prevention