During a Super Smash T20 match in New Zealand on Saturday, Otago Volts paceman Warren Barnes opted to wear a custom-made face mask while bowling in an effort to avoid serious injury.
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With a bowling action that leaves Barnes feeling vulnerable to potential straight drives, he and Volts coach Rob Walter teamed up to design and create the piece of protective equipment that closely resembles a baseball catcher's helmet.
While batsmen, wicketkeepers, close fielders and most recently umpires have taken to wearing helmets, Barnes appears to be one of the first bowlers to don protective headgear.
Though seemingly rather obtrusive, Barnes' first match with the helmet was relatively successful as he took three wickets from three overs as his side fell to the Knights.
Following the death of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes in 2014 after being hit by a bouncer, worldwide requirements on helmet safety standards have been drastically improved.
