Five batters who are dangerous when not wearing a helmet

Helmets were introduced in the early 1970s but many cricketers used some protection for heads before that. West Indies great, Si Vivian Richards was the last international player to not wear a helmet in 1991.

Five batters who are dangerous when not wearing a helmet
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Helmets were introduced in the early 1970s but many cricketers used some protection for heads before that. West Indies great, Sir Vivian Richards was the last international player to not wear a helmet in 1991. He refused to wear a helmet and said that it's a cowardly way to face ball wearing it. Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar stated that the helmet slows down batter’s reflections and refused to wear one. Most recently, English ace Alastair Cook refused to wear an ICC-issued helmet, saying it’s uncomfortable.

It is fair to say that it would have been totally different case for batters wearing a helmet tend to score more runs. But let’s see five former batting greats who were dangerous when not wearing a helmet.

1. Sir Vivian Richards (West Indies)

The former West Indies skipper is regarded as one of the greatest batters of all time. He finished his 16-year career with 8540 Test runs at an average of 50.23 and 6721 ODI runs at an average of 47.00, and more than 35000 runs in First Class cricket.

He was one of the notable personalities who refused to wear helmets and remained firm on that till his international game in 1991.

2. Donald Bradman (Australia)

There is no debate on who is the most consistent batter of all time. Don Bradman scored 6996 runs in just 52 Test matches at an average of 99.9 and over 28000 First Class runs at an average of 95.1.

He represented Australia during 1928-48 when a few cricketers used bike helmets when facing pacer bowler, but not Bradman.

3. Gary Sobers (West Indies)

West Indies great scored 8032 runs in just 93 Test match at an unbelievable average of 57.8. His numbers in red-ball cricket are enough to convince anyone of his greatness. He dominated world cricket from 1954 to 1974, and never wear a helmet.

In 1971, he captained the famous World XI team against Australia and played his career-best inning. He scored 254 runs at Melbourne and displayed his hitting ability against Aussie seamer Dennis Lillee, who consistently bowled bouncers in that inning.

4. Sunil Gavaskar (India)

Sunil Gavaskar, the first player to achieve a 10000-run milestone in Test cricket, was one of the most consistent batters from 1970 to 1980. He smashed over 13000 runs in 233 international matches, most came without wearing a helmet.

He was credited for India’s emergence as one of the best Test-playing nations during his playing years. Gavaskar was famously hit on the head on West Indies' great Malcolm Marshal’s delivery but still he refused to wear a helmet. He has always been vocal about current players’ dependency on helmets and has also opposed new concussion rules by ICC.

5. Allan Border (Australia)

The famous Australian skipper will be remembered for a long for his big knocks which helped him score 11174 runs in Test cricket and 6524 in ODI format. But fans credited him for scoring consistently against the West Indies pace trio Malcolm Marshall, Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, and that too without a helmet.
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