Dick Belger writes...

In terms of the laws, the ACO (Association of Cricket Officials) sent out an email in May to Clubs giving updated guidance.

Application of Law in the case of a head strike in the recreational game

• If the ball strikes a player on the head, irrespective of whether they are wearing a helmet, then a dead ball should be called immediately. Either umpire can do this.
• The dead ball should be called, irrespective of the apparent significance of the force with which the ball strikes the player e.g. even if it is what might ordinarily deemed a ‘slight, glancing deflection’.
• Irrespective of when a dead ball is called (an umpire might, on occasion, not call it immediately):
• No runs may be scored from the moment the head strike occurs e.g. if, after a strike to the batter’s head, the batters ‘complete’ a run before dead ball is called, then that run does not count.
• Neither batter can be dismissed following a head strike e.g. if the ball strikes a fielder’s head, having been hit by a batter, and is then caught, then the batter is not out.
• Note that the above would apply if a collision of heads would take place with fielders as well as head strikes from a delivery.