Imagine playing Test cricket without a "box", normally the first piece of protective equipment a male cricket puts on. Imagine then not using pads, gloves, helmets, thigh guards and recently becoming more popular the arm guard. And let's now imagine facing Mitchell Johnson and Dale Steyn without all of the above.
All the above pieces of protective equipment brings a sense of confidence to the facing batsman and negates negative thinking and poor technique. So all in all it improves ones game. Is this not true?
Let's go way back to the Body Line series. Arch enemies England and Australia were contesting an Ashes series in 1930 and the then England Captain, Douglas Jardine instructed his fast bowler, Harold Larwood, to come around the wicket and pepper Sir Donald Bradman with bouncers aimed at his head and body. This was their attempt to stop Bradman from scoring. A man of far lesser ability would have probably given in to this heated barrage of hostility but, being the greatest Test batsman ever, he was not forted.
The year was 1954, the player Clairmonte Depeiaza. He was a Barbadian, who played 5 Tested for the West Indians and he was known for two important facts in Test history. He is best known for a world Test record for the 7th wicket with Denis Atkinson of 347 and also the first known Test cricketer to use a chest protector. During the partnership he was hit on the chest numerous times by shorts balls leading to a suggestion from the father of his Barbados team-mate John Goddard that he wear a piece of protective foam rubber around his chest. This was the first known instance of a chest protector used in Test cricket. Following the innings, the crowd collected $1000 for him.
Having played club cricket and being part of professional cricket for some years now, I find that the chest guard is a very frowned upon piece of equipment. I think its a must and should be used by all school boy batsman, lower order players and generally more batsman.
Let's take the helmet for example. The advent of the helmet has improved cricket tremendously. Primarily from a health and safety point of view but also from a confidence and technically point of view. The helmet gives the batsman the confidence to get into line and work on the technical aspects of their game.
Like wise, why not use the protection that's out here. Surely using a chest guard is going to do the same for a batsman as does a helmet. But.....does using a chest guard show the opposition fragility? That you are scared? I beg to differ.
The best batsmen in the world are currently using chest guards. Sangakara and Chanderpaul are the obvious names that come to mind, whom are currently playing. The former averages close to 59 and the latter 52 in Tests. If the chest guard is going to help your mental preparation, provide you confidence at the crease, improve your average and assist you technically then I do not see why not. Unless it's your ego telling you otherwise.
As a physiotherapist I have often strapped and handed out Cataflams (NSAIDs) to players ahead of a game, when none was professionally required. The placebo effect is often the most effective. Players believe they will perform better, if they were strapped in a certain way or they use an NSAID. Thus creating a routine that they follow. This routine can mentally improve their game. Even by a some little percentage. In my thoughts, every percentage helps. If it helps the individual it will help the team.....
The Chest Guard....not to be frowned upon. There's more to it that meets the eye.
@Craig_gov
