World Cup Star Sports New Stemguard

This weekend saw Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara become the first player to go bat wearing a Masuri helmet with the new StemGuard clip-on safety attachment.

Earlier this month the British manufacturer unveiled the StemGuard – made of honeycomb plastic and foam – which offers additional protection to the exposed back of the head and neck, the area where Australia batsman Phillip Hughes was unfortunately hit in November.

Masuri has been providing StemGuards to the world’s cricketing governing bodies so players can trial them – but Sangakkara became the first player to wear one when he took to the Sydney Cricket Ground for the run chase against Australia.

Masuri managing director Sam Miller said: “Masuri has worked tirelessly to develop a safety attachment for its helmets since the Phillip Hughes tragedy.

“It is extremely pleasing to see Kumar Sangakkara wearing our StemGuard clip-on attachment. He is making a statement on player safety by becoming the first player to wear a StemGuard.

“Masuri is providing the world’s cricketing governing bodies with StemGuards for players to trial.

“Our objective for the last three months has been to make available, as quickly as possible, a guard that offers players extra protection for the vulnerable area at the back of the head and neck.

“Cricket Australia has been extremely supportive of these efforts and their input has helped significantly.

“We have received considerable interest from players wanting to trial the StemGuard.”

Cricket Australia high performance chief Pat Howard recently backed the use of the StemGuard. Howard added: “It’s really quite innovative and some players are very receptive to trying it.

“It’s got impact protection and comes down [the side of the head]. Players will be given an opportunity to try it out in a game outside an international, but work our way up.”

The ICC Member Cricket Boards recently agreed that the new British Safety Standard should be the de facto international standard for cricket helmets.

Miller added: “International players from around the world have expressed an interest in trying the StemGuard, including several England players.”