Cricket: Should Helmets Be Made a Part Of The Umpiring Dress Code?

The umpires' official dress code over the last few years has been undergoing a slow but steady sort of evolution and even though they are still keeping with the most "professionally dressed on the field" stance, bygone seems the era of them wearing blazers and ties.

But even though these things have changed, there remains one food for thought: Why aren't helmets included in their kitty in spite of all the revolutions and the evolutions?

In the earlier days, perhaps the requirement for protective apparel wasn't the need of the hour but in these times when batsmen seek to pounce on almost every ball, it's a huge threat to these officials who stand there wearing a mere hat, which doesn't even stand still in case of a strong wind; then how are they supposed to cope with the reactionary force of the ball after meeting the bat?

At present, they do what they can do: duck, move slickly aside, jump, try every trick known to them, but the fact remains: How far will their reflexes last or what if they are caught totally unawares?

It becomes a potentially huge risk, especially when you are dealing with batsmen like a Sehwag or a Gayle who are merciless when the sun shines on them: No part of the field is left untouched and there is no shot which they wouldn't have tried to execute; in their pumped up enthusiasm any miscued or mistimed shot in the direction of any of the two umpires cannot be ruled out.

And to be honest, there have been several instances in the past where umpires have inadvertently become prey to the batsman pummeling and though none of them were serious injuries; it does not negate the possibility that what was not grievous now will continue at the same level in the future; for no one can give an ascertained guarantee; neither the players nor the ICC officials, it's all unpredictable: Happening out there in the spur of the moment!

When batsmen are fully equipped with all sort of guards: helmets, shin guards,  elbow guards and countless what nots, it becomes more than necessary for the ICC to change some laws in favour of the already harassed officials.

As it is, they take everything right from the players' sledging to a fan's wrath in their stride; getting injured in the field of action will be much too demanding of them!