Cricket Helmet Size & Safety Guide for New Zealand
How to measure a cricket helmet, understand common size ranges and check current New Zealand helmet safety requirements.
Measure around the widest part of the head. A useful starting range is XS–S below 56 cm, M at 56–58 cm and L–XL above 58 cm. For New Zealand junior hardball cricket, NZC requires a faceguard and a BS7928:2013 helmet.
Helmet size starting point
| Head circumference | Starting size |
|---|---|
| Under 56 cm | XS–S |
| 56–58 cm | Medium |
| Over 58 cm | L–XL |
Measure around the widest part of the head, keeping the tape level and comfortably snug.
Fit matters more than the label
A helmet should feel secure without painful pressure points. It should not rock freely when the player moves the head. The faceguard position matters too: do not alter grille spacing outside the manufacturer’s instructions.
Different brands and models fit differently, so a head measurement narrows the search but does not replace a proper fit check.
New Zealand junior helmet rules
NZ Cricket’s 2025–26 community helmet policy says helmets with a faceguard are mandatory for Under-19 hardball cricketers while batting, keeping within 5 metres of the stumps, and fielding close within 7 metres in the specified areas. NZC requires British Standard BS7928:2013 helmets for junior and youth cricketers.
NZC also recommends neck protectors when batting against fast or medium-paced bowling.
What standard should you look for?
The ICC says compliant modern head protectors are labelled BS 7928:2013 + A1:2019, with testing identified for men’s ball size, junior ball size, or both. The 2019 amendment includes neck-protector specifications.
If a helmet has sustained a severe blow, the ICC advises replacing the affected head-protector component even if damage is not obvious.
Use the CricketWise helmet size calculator for the sizing step, then verify the exact model’s certification and fit.