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Australian players trial new helmet attachment

Masuri StemGuard has already been used in matches by Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara

Australia's cricketers have been trialling a new helmet attachment that is designed to better protect the back of the neck and head.

At training in Hobart today, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and George Bailey all wore the new Masuri StemGuard helmet safety attachment during their net sessions.

It comes after players from both Australia and Sri Lanka were provided with the StemGuards to trial for the first time in Sydney last weekend.

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George Bailey at training in Hobart // cricket.com.au

British manufacturer Masuri unveiled the clip-on StemGuard - made of honeycomb plastic and foam - earlier this month.

Its development began late last year following the passing of Phillip Hughes, who was struck on the neck by a short ball.

"Our objective for the last three months has been to make available, as quickly as possible, a guard that offers players extra protection for the vulnerable area at the back of the head and neck," Masuri Managing Director Sam Miller said in a statement last Saturday.

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Glenn Maxwell at training in Hobart // cricket.com.au

"Cricket Australia has been extremely supportive of these efforts and their input has helped significantly.

"Whilst we don't necessarily expect to see the StemGuard used in match conditions immediately, we have received considerable interest from players in wanting to trial the new protection."

Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews both wore the attachment during their match against Australia at the SCG on Sunday, and Sangakkara used it again against Scotland in Hobart on Wednesday.

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A comparison of the new and old designs // Getty

While the Australians have trialled the attachment at training, it is yet to be seen if they are comfortable enough to use it in a match situation.

"Masuri has worked very hard to bring this guard to market in a very short period of time and we appreciate and commend that," Cricket Australia Executive General Manager of Team Performance Pat Howard said.

"The players have now been given the guards to trial at training before deciding whether they wear them in match conditions.

"It is very much a personal decision which we will respect."

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Steve Smith at training in Hobart // cricket.com.au

Ireland's John Mooney has been sporting a unique new helmet design of his own during this World Cup, although his method is currently undergoing safety testing and has not been officially approved.

Mooney, who is an electrician by trade, attached a grille to the back of his helmet after Hughes and several of his family members were struck on the back of the neck during games.

“I’m a qualified electrician, but I have picked skills from up other trades," Mooney told the Irish Examiner.

"I’m good at working with my hands and I thought straight away that it was something I could do.

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Mooney attached a grille to the back of his helmet // Fox Sports

"It is a safety device, so passing those tests is paramount.

"At the moment I am the only one who can wear it, as I won’t be suing myself if something goes wrong with it!

"But it’s a really steady device, so I don’t anticipate anything going wrong."

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