The New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult admits it was sickening to watch his team-mate Mitchell McClenaghan slump to the ground after being felled by a bouncer in the one-dayer against Pakistan in Wellington.
New Zealand cricketer Mitchell McClenaghan. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
McClenaghan will miss the rest of the series after a bouncer got between the grill and helmet and he suffered a fracture above his left eye.
Cricket has done its best to improve the helmets used by batters following the death of Australian Phillip Hughes in 2014.
No.11 batsman Boult, who came out to the crease to hit a four off the final ball, said it was scary to see his team-mate knocked over.
"It churns your stomach to see stuff like that and it's hard to talk about to be honest, what happened yesterday was unfortunate one snuck through his grill and got him pretty good, but it's part of the game I guess."
Boult said he had confidence in the equipment.
"The newer helmets supposedly that can't happen, the gap between the grill and the lid is a lot smaller, Mitch was wearing an older helmet I believe, I think that is down to his personal preference, but generally the new helmets are a bit more indestructible."
McClenaghan was scheduled to have some minor cosmetic surgery on Friday.
