DHAKA: A British manufacturer has unveiled a new cricket helmet designed to prevent another tragic death like that of Phillip Hughes.

The prototype, created by Hampshire-based Company Masuri, features a clip-on "StemGuard" made of plastic and military-specification foam that protects the back of the neck, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.

Hughes was wearing a Masuri helmet when he was struck by a short-pitched delivery on the back of the neck in a Sheffield Shield match in Sydney. He died two days later.

Masuri began investigating a possible redesign after Hughes' death and design consultant Alan Meeks believes the new attachment is strong enough to prevent serious injury, but light enough so as to not distract or inhibit batsmen.
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"This arrangement of the foam and [the] honeycomb [pattern] gives as much protection as a hard helmet," Meeks told BBC Sport. "Even though it moves around and will touch the player when the ball hits them, it will absorb a significant amount of energy."

The new design has been tested extensively while it awaits production and Masuri claims to have consulted international cricket boards throughout the design process.

The company has applied for a patent but its introduction into cricket largely hinges on the desire of players to wear the new helmets.

The International Cricket Council was briefed on the research project to improve the safety on cricket helmets during its last board meeting in January.

It said it had noted that helmet manufacturers have introduced new models that comply with the updated British Safety Standard and that more international players have begun wearing them in matches.

Masuri managing director Sam Miller said Hughes' death changed the debate around helmet safety.

"That tragic event definitely had an impact on the public," Miller said. "I don't think there was a helmet on the market which would have protected Phillip. There had been some talk of protection to that area in the past, but it had been a footnote."

BDST: 1801 HRS, FEB 16, 2015