Laws clarification: face protectors

Date released: 24 April 2008

Following the introduction by some manufacturers of face protectors for wicket-keepers and fielders, MCC confirms that face protectors may be worn by wicket-keepers and fielders under the Laws of Cricket.

For the purpose of the Laws of Cricket, all kinds of face protectors should be treated the same as a helmet.

It must be stressed that this interpretation of the Laws does not extend to ANY directives that may be in place concerning the wearing of protective equipment by young players.

In terms of those directives, which are set by the Governing Bodies for Cricket in individual countries, helmets must continue to be worn as prescribed, unless otherwise directed.

Examples

Below are all examples of how face protectors may be relevant to the Laws:

• If a wicket-keeper or fielder removes the face protector and places it behind the wicket-keeper, which is allowable under Law 41.3, and the ball, while in play, strikes the protector, the ball will become dead and five penalty runs will be awarded to the batting side. See Law 41.3 for more details.

• If the ball, having been hit by the batsman, touches the face protector while being worn and is then caught by any member of the fielding side, it cannot be out caught although the ball will remain in play. See Law 32.3(e) for more details.

• If the ball, having been hit by the batsman, becomes lodged in the protector while it is being worn, then he cannot be out caught under Law 32.3(b) and the ball shall become dead. See Laws 23.1(a)(vi) and 32.3(b) for more details.

• A batsman cannot be out Stumped if the ball touches the wicket-keeper’s protector before the stumping is made, under Law 39.2(b). The batsman can still be run out in these circumstances, provided that there is subsequent contact between the ball and any member of the fielding side before the wicket is put down. See Law 39.2(b) for more details.

• A batsman cannot be out run out if the ball, having been played by the striker, or having come off his person, directly strikes a face protector worn by a fielder and without further contact with him or any other fielder rebounds directly on to the wicket. See Law 38.2(c) for more details.

• External protective equipment – Appendix D
  For a fielder, a helmet and face protector is permitted, except in the case of a wicket-keeper, for whom wicket-keeping pads and gloves are also permitted.

It should be noted that MCC is not suggesting or endorsing the use of these products, rather merely confirming that they conform to the Laws of Cricket.

The Laws of Cricket will be updated to recognise face protectors during the next re-writing of the Laws.