Sussex opener Chris Nash says the enhanced safety of the modern helmets mandated by the ECB saved him from a broken nose in county cricket
New helmet saved me: Nash
Sussex opener Chris Nash says the newly-designed helmet that was made mandatory by the England and Wales Cricket Board this year prevented him from suffering a broken nose during his side's match against Essex.
The ECB has made it compulsory for players to wear helmets that conform to the updated British Safety Standard, a crackdown that created headlines last week when England captain Alastair Cook flouted the new regulations by wearing an old style helmet in Essex’s match against Gloucestershire.
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Cook reverted to the new helmet for the match against Sussex in Hove this week and was dismissed for one in his only innings of the match so far.
Nash, who followed up his first-innings century with a score of 92 on Tuesday, was in no doubt his new helmet prevented serious injury when he was struck by a Jamie Porter bouncer at the start of his innings.
Image Id: ~/media/05B523129F114443AF4440483596A3D2 Image Caption: Nash is checked over by the physio // GettyThe ball hit Nash on the peak of his helmet, leaving him with a scratch on his nose but no further damage.
"I think (the ball) would have gone through (the old helmet)," Nash said after play.
"These ones don't move and they have a much smaller gap, they used to have a much bigger gap.
"I think it would have gone through and I wouldn't be looking as beautiful as I am tonight. I'm pretty sure it would have broken my nose.
"To be hit slap bang there and to carry on, I think I was pretty fortunate.
"All credit to (the new helmets), they're very, very good and I’m pleased I could carry on."
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Former England batsman Jonathan Trott used an old helmet on Monday during Warwickshire's match with Middlesex before changing to a new helmet the following day and going on to post a double hundred.
Nash's innings on Tuesday helped Sussex extend their lead over Cook's Essex to 322 with one wicket remaining ahead of what should be an intriguing final day.
Trott's 219 at Lord's led Warwickshire's reply of 468 against Middlesex, whose first innings of 452 was propped up by a score of 231 from former England opener Sam Robson. Middlesex moved to 2-76 in their second innings at stumps, with Robson unbeaten on 35 and England's incumbent No.3 Nick Compton on 34 not out.
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At Old Trafford, Kiwi bowler Neil Wagner continued his dream debut for Lancashire, taking 5-45 in Nottinghamshire's second innings after he'd claimed 6-66 on day one.
England quick Jimmy Anderson chimed in with three wickets for Lancashire having gone wicketless in the first innings, while Notts' Australian quick Jackson Bird went wicketless in Lancashire's innings of 332.
Wagner's efforts mean Lancashire need to score just 86 on the final day with all 10 wickets remaining to claim the outright win.
In Bristol, Australian Cameron Bancroft scored 41 in Gloucestershire's first innings of 563, which came in reply to Derbyshire's 444, while in Cardiff Australian quick Clint McKay added another two wickets to go with the six he took on day one to give Leicestershire the edge in their match against Glamorgan.
And Yorkshire's match against Hampshire at Headingley appears destined for a draw after the visitors amassed 8-450 in reply to Yorkshire’s first innings of 9-593, which was led by centuries from England players Adam Lyth and Liam Plunkett as well as a double ton from England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.