Published: Nov 28, 2015, 03:38 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 28, 2015, 03:38 PM (IST)
Melbourne: 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. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: Australia vs New Zealand, 3rd Test at Adelaide
The tragic demise of former batsmen Phillip Hughes last year triggered calls for the equipment to be made mandatory. Hughes succumbed to injuries on November 27 last year after being struck by a bouncer during a domestic match in Sydney. The 25-year-old South Australian batsman was knocked out after the ball made impact under his helmet, on the back of the neck.
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. The pink ball game began on the first death anniversary of Hughes. The hashtag #63notout, referring to Hughes’s score when the accident occurred, was trending in Australia on Friday as fans remembered his legacy before the Adelaide Test. Both sides wore black armbands, and also the players contesting three Sheffield Shield games around Australia that also start on the same day. A tribute package was screened referring to Hughes’s Test cap number, 408. READ: When Brendon McCullum paid perfect tribute to Phillip Hughes with dazzling double century against Pakistan
