Alistair Cook

[Weybridge]

Currently giving the ECB a headache.

The England captain refuses point blank to wear the new ECB mandated safety-spec helmet because its uncomfortable and distracting, preferring his usual one. And during this period of rebellion he has smacked three centuries in the last three weeks.

Also you have to question a ruling which says you don't have to wear a helmet, but if you do - it has to be this particular one.

Mark Nicholas made a good point recently about Gordon Greenidge. When Hants played Surrey at The Oval during a period when it had a treacherous pitch, the Surrey quicks were bouncing Greenidge at every opportunity. What did Gordon do? Abandoned his helmet altogether, so he could see the ball better... (but I suppose when you're as good as GG you can get away with it!)

[Earl Grey]

Currently giving the ECB a headache.

The England captain refuses point blank to wear the new ECB mandated safety-spec helmet because its uncomfortable and distracting, preferring his usual one. And during this period of rebellion he has smacked three centuries in the last three weeks.

Also you have to question a ruling which says you don't have to wear a helmet, but if you do - it has to be this particular one.

Mark Nicholas made a good point recently about Gordon Greenidge. When Hants played Surrey at The Oval during a period when it had a treacherous pitch, the Surrey quicks were bouncing Greenidge at every opportunity. What did Gordon do? Abandoned his helmet altogether, so he could see the ball better... (but I suppose when you're as good as GG you can get away with it!)

Well Sikhs got away with not wearing motor-cycle helmets by citing their religion. Maybe Cook can start a new religion based on wearing your favourite helmet.

More seriously, can't he have the approved lid adapted to make it more comfortable?

[Weybridge]

I'm not certain about Cook's exact cause for complaint, but I think its to do with the gap between grill and peak. I think he's stating the maximum gap is now too narrow, and affects his ability to focus on the ball.

[uspompeyfan]

I don't understand why the powers that be are interfering so much in the game. Surely the risk of injury is on the player, therefore, as long as the helmet meets the basic safety requirements, the batsman should be able to manage what helmet he wears - or has cricket been affected by the nanny state mentality of having to tell our best batsmen what they should do.