Tuesday 28 July 2015 16:50, UK
Australia captain Michael Clarke says he will finally wear the new style of helmet developed following the death of Phillip Hughes, in light of the recent injury suffered by team-mate Chris Rogers.
Rogers was sent for scans two days after being struck by a James Anderson bouncer during Australia’s win in the second Investec Ashes Test at Lord's last week.
The incident has convinced Clarke to finally embrace the new-look helmets produced by British manufacturer Masuri in response to the death of former Australia batsman Hughes, who died last year after being struck on an unprotected area of the neck.
Clarke, who gave an emotional speech at Hughes’ funeral, has previously struggled to adjust to the new design, which features an adjusted face grille and a clip-on foam guard providing additional protection.
"Obviously what happened to Hughes, as soon as those new helmets and ear pieces came out I thought, 'I am going to try this'," Clarke said on Tuesday.
"I have just spent the last six months trying to get used to it."
But the injury sustained by Rogers has prompted Clarke to finally abandon his old helmet.
"Obviously the Hughesy stuff is still on the front of my mind, and then next morning Bucky (Rogers) came out and got hit right on the same spot," he said.
"I got rid of my old helmet there and then and made up my mind, I am using the new one."
I got rid of my old helmet there and then and made up my mind, I am using the new one.
The 34-year-old has been reluctant to change his equipment in the past: "My gear hasn't changed for my whole career.
"My pads are the same, gloves are the same, so you are used to what you are used to.
"Because I wear my collar up, I can feel it (the new foam attachment) there. It is more of a feel thing. Like anything it is just about making that change."
Rogers is expected to play in the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston, which gets underway on Wednesday.
