http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Allan-Robert-Border-c43726 de Villiers stresses need for protection while keeping wickets – Cricket News Update
South African wicketkeeper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MV-Boucher-c2048, which led to his recent retirement from international cricket.
"I really always try and wear a helmet unless it's really, really low and slow," he said. "Mark always wears a helmet as well. So the reason he didn't have a helmet on that day, I don't know."
De Villiers will be stepping in as wicketkeeper for the first Test of South Africa’s upcoming series against England, due to commence on July 19 at the Kennington Oval in London, after Boucher, a veteran of 147 Tests and 295 ODIs, announced his retirement following an eye injury.
The 35-year-old was hit in the eye by a dislodged bail after a googly by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 manager, revealed that the injury was “severe”, and Boucher has since stated that despite the surgery, his recovery remains “uncertain.
"It was a freakish accident that happened. But I will definitely have a helmet on, like I always do," de Villiers insisted, prior to the team’s second warm-up match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Canterbury-c775.
Reflecting on the future of protective gear, de Villiers pointed out that companies were tuning into the need for advanced wicketkeeping helmets.
"I think ... going forward, helmet companies will start investing in proper wicketkeeping helmets, maybe a different design," he said. "I think they're busy with a design as we speak."
The injury, sustained owing to the lack of a helmet, forced Boucher (due to play his 150th Test and looking to round off his tally of 999 international dismissals to a 1000) to announce an abrupt retirement. Cricket South Africa have since included http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gary-Kirsten-c58527 has confirmed that de Villiers will be keeping during the first Test.
Tags: