CRICKETER Percy Blake may have had a hand in making life safer for batsmen.

England players started wearing helmets soon after he suggested the idea to England wicket-keeper Alan Knott.

Mr Blake met Knott at a social evening organised by members of Headington Cricket Club in their clubhouse at Barton Road, Headington.

He recalls: “We talked about the forthcoming Test match against the West Indies.

“At that time, the West Indies’ team included the fastest bowlers in the world, Wes Hall and Joel Garner.

“I suggested to Alan, perhaps some sort of wire headgear should be worn, with a hard cap and mesh front.

“Shortly afterwards, in the next Test against West Indies, Tony Greig came out to bat with this type of headgear.

“I often wonder when I see Test and county cricket whether it was the result of the chat Alan and I had that night.

“Headgear became common after that, and is now used everywhere.”

Mr Blake, of Littleworth Road, Wheatley, has sent in pictures from 1956 of the BMC Service football and cricket teams, which he captained and which won the car factory inter-departmental competitions, and one of him receiving the cricket trophy.

He writes: “I wonder if any of the lads are still around.”

He enjoyed a successful football career, playing for Headington United, Oxford City, Witney Town and Abingdon Town. In one season with Witney, he scored 70 goals.