Abstract
This systematic review was conducted to identify the incidence, nature and
mechanisms of head, neck and facial (HNF) injuries in cricket and the reported
use of helmets. Five databases were searched up to 30th November
2020. From peer-reviewed cricket injury studies published in English, studies
reporting on HNF cricket injuries as per the Preferred Reporting Items for
Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were selected.
Twenty-nine studies were included. HNF injuries had a cumulative total of
794/5,886 injuries equating to 13% of all injuries. Non-
specified HNF injuries (n=210, 26%) were the most prevalent type
of injury followed by non-specified head injuries (n=130, 16%),
other non-specified fractures (n=119, 15%) and concussions
(n=60, 8%).The impact of the ball was reported as the most
common mechanism for sustaining HNF injuries in cricket. The use of helmet was
reported in only three studies (10%). From studies reporting on HNF
cricket injuries, facial fractures, and concussions were the most common
specified-types of injury. There is little evidence on reporting of HNF cricket
injuries as per the international cricket consensus injury definitions, as well
as the use of helmets at the time of injury.
Key words
cricket - injury - head - neck - face
