Picture the perfect pull shot: crisp footwork, sweet timing, crowd on its feet.
Now imagine the same ball catching the back‑of‑neck gap between helmet and shoulder. One twist of fate, and cricket’s sweet sound turns silent.
Head‑and‑neck protectors transform that “what‑if” into “no worries.” They clip onto the helmet you already own, weigh less than a chocolate bar and can deflect a 140 km/h seamer away from the base of your skull.
Five reasons players swear by neck guards
-
They cover cricket’s blind spot
Helmets save foreheads; guards save vertebrae. Together they close the loop of protection. -
They fit your current lid
If your helmet meets BS7928‑2013, the right guard will click straight on. No costly upgrade required. -
They’re barely there—until you need them
Less than 70 grams, tucked behind the ear line. You won’t notice the weight, but a rising ball will. -
They’re kid‑proof and pro‑approved
Junior‑friendly sizes and the same tech trusted by Big Bash and Baggy Green stars. -
They keep you out in the middle, not in the ER
One freak bounce can end a season. A guard turns a season‑ender into a bruise and a story for post‑match pizza.
Who should clip one on?
- CA strongly recommends that everyone wears a neck protector when batting, wicket-keeping up to the stumps and fielding in close to the batter.
Buying and sizing tips
- Check your helmet brand’s compatibility list - Not all guards fit all lids
- Look for BS7928:2013 +A1:2019 on the packaging - This is the same impact test standard as elite cricket and guarantees lab‑tested protection
- Choose the smallest size that still shields the C‑spine - Over‑sized guards can catch on shoulder pads. This will let you swivel and hook freely
- Tighten hinge screws finger‑tight before every net - Loose screws equal flying hardware. This keeps the guard in place on impact