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Head injury and guideline awareness: A cross-sectional survey of Australian community cricket players.

Saw AE, Kountouris A, Smith A, Love M. · JSAMS plus · 2026

Researchers surveyed 467 Australian community cricket players online about head impacts, helmet use, and awareness of safety guidelines. Over the past year, 36% had been hit on the head, helmet, or neck, and 35% of those reported a traumatic head injury; 80% always wore a helmet when batting against pace bowling, 80% knew the helmet recommendations, but only 49% knew the concussion and head trauma guidelines.
Takeaway: Wear a properly fitted helmet every time you bat against pace, and read your sport's concussion guidelines before you play.
Abstract (source)

Safety in community cricket, particularly head injury, is essential. This study utilised an online, cross-sectional survey open to all community players in Australia. Among 467 respondents (86% male; ages 12 to 60+ years), 36% reported being hit on the head, helmet, or neck at least once in the past 12 months. Of those hit, 81% were wearing a helmet and 35% reported a traumatic head injury. 80% of respondents always wore a helmet when batting against pace. Awareness of Australian Cricket's guidance varied: 80% were aware of the Helmet Recommendations, whereas 49% were aware of the Community Cricket Concussion and Head Trauma Guidelines. These

Findings: add to evidence of a risk of traumatic head injury associated with participation in community cricket and suggest that, while helmet recommendations are generally known and often followed, there remains scope to improve consistency of use, optimal protection, and concussion-guideline awareness and application.

Primary studyInjury Prevention & Rehab
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