The ramifications of the death of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes continue to be felt both around the world and at home as Wanganui cricket has mandated extra safety precautions for local junior players.
Development officer Dilan Raj said the use of helmets in the junior grades, which had previously beenjust recommended, was now mandatory as of Saturday morning's games.
"That's all batters, fielders 10m from the bat and all keepers standing up [to the stumps]."
Raj said the decision could be seen as a "knee jerk reaction" to Hughes's death, after the 25-year-old was struck on the back of the neck by a bouncer and died of head injuries on Thursday.
However, in his mind, making helmets mandatory was something that should have been in place years ago.
