Body guards in cricket: Helmet was first used in 1970s, gloves debuted in 1850

With the injury to Australian batsman Steve Smith during the ongoing Ashes, the need for a neck guard in cricket has again been raised. A number of players have been injured badly due to on field incidents.

Here are how the other guards in cricket started being used.

The box, also known as the jockstrap is mentioned in Simon Hughes’ book 'And God Created Cricket'. In the book, Hughes says underarm bowling in cricket was around since the 1860s. It is worn by batsmen, wicket-keepers and close-up fielders. It is used to protect the male genitalia along with the abdominal guard which is a plastic cup placed in the jockstrap.

The helmet which is a kind of head guard was first used by English cricketer, Dennis Amiss during the latter half of the World Series consistently in the 1970s when he came to bat. Albion Sports was the first company that started making helmets. Prior to that English cricketer, Patsy Hendren was the first to use a self-designed protective hat in the 1930s when he faced fast bowlers. Batsmen, wicket-keepers and close-up fielders are seen wearing this.

Pads, called leg guards, are worn by batsmen and wicket-keepers which are different from each other in design. They were first used in the middle of the 18th century in England to protect batsmen's legs from the ball. Their introduction lead to the Leg Before Wicket or LBW way to get out which was to stop batsmen from using pads to deflect the ball.

Gloves are used to protect the batsman and wicket-keepers hands from impact of the ball. Wicket keeping gloves were used in 1850 for the first time. There are also other guards for thighs, chest, elbows and arms but they are used or not used depending on the batsman.