Australian players have tested a new helmet safety attachment - designed in the aftermath of the Phillip Hughes tragedy - but will not be obliged to wear it in matches.

Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and George Bailey all wore a new clip-on made of honeycomb plastic and foam while they batted in the nets at Bellerive Oval ahead of the World Cup match against Scotland on Saturday.

Sri Lankans Angelo Mathews (left) and Kumar Sangakkara (right) have both worn the guard. ( Getty Images: Mark Kolbe )

Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews have already used the device at the World Cup while Ireland all-rounder John Mooney has designed his own version.

"Masuri has worked very hard to bring this guard to market in a very short period of time and we appreciate and commend that," Cricket Australia high-performance manager Pat Howard said.

"The players have now been given the guards to trial at training before deciding whether they wear them in match conditions.

"It is very much a personal decision which we will respect."

AFP