New Zealand firms revolutionize cricket's overlooked protection gear in 2026

Two Kiwi startups introduce advanced abdominal guards after players suffered painful injuries.

Legacy of cricket protection While modern helmets have transformed head safety in cricket, the traditional box—or abdominal guard—has seen little evolution since the 1970s. Most recreational cricketers still use versions resembling those from half a century ago, consisting of a rigid plastic shell layered with basic foam padding. At Lord's this week, a compelling rivalry between two New Zealand-based startups will showcase cutting-edge alternatives aiming to redefine protection for the sport's most vulnerable area. ## Injuries spark innovation The push for better protection stems from painful personal experiences shared by cricketers worldwide. A widely viewed compilation of Liam Livingstone taking blows in a Big Bash game has nearly five million views on YouTube, yet the repercussions often linger long after the impact. For Kane Williamson, a brutal strike in his first home Test century in 2012 became a turning point. Facing a 139kph nip-backer from Dale Steyn on 9, his box shattered, leaving a cracked relic framed on his mantlepiece and signed by Steyn himself. Williamson emerged uninjured, but the incident exposed flaws in existing protection. ## Players seek better solutions Other professionals have resorted to DIY fixes after failing to find adequate gear. Faf du Plessis famously created his own 'Beast' protector by taping together three standard boxes, admitting in interviews that he gets hit in sensitive areas frequently and found no better solution. For Ruben Clinton, the problem wasn’t cracked equipment but inadequate energy absorption. Struck while batting, his box remained intact, yet the force transferred directly to his testicles, resulting in testicular torsion requiring surgery. The injury, similar to Tilak Varma’s earlier this year, prompted Clinton to collaborate with Mitchell Santner’s brother Elliot on a new solution. ## Meet the rival products Two distinct products have emerged from these experiences: Cover, co-founded by Kane Williamson, and TruGuard, developed by Elliot Santner and Clinton. Cover’s solution prioritizes sturdiness, featuring a hard-wearing aluminium alloy composite designed to prevent cracking like Williamson’s. Grant Elliott, a former New Zealand teammate now leading Cover’s commercial efforts, describes it as 'resilient and tough.' In contrast, TruGuard employs an innovative plastic design with a gyroid lattice structure—comparable to a honeycomb—to disperse impact force across a broader area. Santner, a mechanical engineer and spin-bowling allrounder, claims TruGuard absorbs at least five times more force than traditional boxes. ## Size and performance differences Beyond materials, the two products differ in design philosophy. TruGuard is intentionally larger, addressing what Clinton describes as a critical flaw in standard boxes: 'Pretty much every box out there doesn’t have internal volume.' Clinton emphasizes that players need more space for comfort and protection. Cover’s box, while compact, focuses on material integrity, avoiding the risk of shattering upon impact. Both have been field-tested extensively in professional cricket, with Cover even making its way to the IPL through Williamson’s advisory role with Lucknow Super Giants. ## Real-world validation Cover received high-profile endorsement during a crucial moment in April when Mitchell Marsh was struck squarely by Josh Hazlewood. Marsh responded with a visible thumbs-up toward Williamson in the LSG dugout, signaling the product’s effectiveness. Marsh’s own history with groin injuries—suffering internal testicular bleeding during the T20 World Cup earlier this year—left him sidelined for Australia’s first two games. Elliott joked, 'Cover would’ve saved Australia’s T20 World Cup,' highlighting the product’s potential impact. ## Marketing and reach TruGuard has built its brand through social media, showcasing Clinton enduring hammer strikes and Santner smashing him with a cricket bat in promotional videos. The company is expanding partnerships with international players outside New Zealand, including South Africa’s Tony de Zorzi and Lhuan-dre Pretorius. Both brands target premium pricing: Cover’s box retails at $72 or $96 bundled with a jockstrap, while TruGuard sells for $96 for the box alone, with a jockstrap in development. Currently available in New Zealand, Australia, and select markets, plans for global expansion are underway. ## Future of the game The founders believe better abdominal protection could transform cricket as profoundly as helmets once did. Elliott shared investor feedback suggesting improved confidence might encourage batters to open their hips more aggressively during death overs. Clinton noted the modern game’s demands—where batters face more front-on deliveries and must hit short-pitched balls both ways—increase exposure to groin strikes. 'You are now expected to hit it off a [groin-high] length and to be able to ramp both ways,' he said. 'How can we give you the most amount of confidence to do that?' The answer may lie in these next-generation boxes.