"Next Test, I'm switching to a proper Alice band" © Getty Images

In the recent Test series against West Indies, Stuart Broad was seen sporting a headband, a la Dennis Lillee and circa 2015 Dale Steyn. In the last Test, Jimmy Anderson joined in. Fashion statement? Fans wondered. Lucky charm for his 500th wicket? Broad tweeted a more mundane reason: it's to help him keep sweat, and his hands, off his face.

"Amateurs," scoffs Saqlain Mushtaq, who pioneered a system to keep hair off his face and keep from running his mouth too much, while also distracting opposition batsmen. But then again, he's never been afraid to own his style.

Saqi attempts to intimidate the opposition with the positioning of his headband in a Surrey v Nottinghamshire match in 2003 © Getty Images

When you're eating, drinking, breathing, sleeping cricket, you sometimes turn out to a match in your pyjamas, but that's no reason to be unkempt.

Participants in a 1927 ladies' pyjama cricket match swap floppy hats for headscarves © Getty Images

Steven Smith is bringing disco back. Unfortunately no one else wants in.

Perhaps Saturday Night Fever isn't the best choice for these pandemic times © Getty Images

There's a wolf-in-sheep's clothing joke in here somewhere below, but we won't go there.

Chris Gayle caps West Indies' win over Afghanistan in the 2019 World Cup with a papakha borrowed from the opposition © Getty Images

A Bird in a hat is worth two in the bush, they say.

Howzzzhat! Dickie Bird's all ready for Royal Ascot © Getty Images

Bangladesh fans are often given to wearing their hearts on their heads.

No paper tigers here © Getty Images

Sustainable cricket couture doesn't get better than this. Environmentally friendly, statement-making, will make your hair smell nice and probably condition it as well. As a bonus, it comes in your country's colours.

When life gives you melons... © Getty Images

That's one way to keep the sun out.

A newspaper does double duty for a fan on a hot afternoon at The Gabba in 1962 © Getty Images

Deepti Unni is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

 

RELATED ARTICLES