CRICKET’S independent report into the death of Phillip Hughes will be handed down on Wednesday, with the document to continue the push for increased safety in the modern game.

Making the wearing of helmets compulsory for batsmen, close-in fielders and net coaches is likely to be one of the key recommendations made by David Curtain QC; a common-sense move which would bring Australia into line with standards already adopted by English cricket.

There is expected to be a focus on clip-on stem guards, a relatively new piece of technology that protects the particular part of the neck where Hughes was struck in the tragedy at the SCG 18 months ago.

Phillip Hughes died after he was struck in the neck by a bouncer at the SCG in November, 2014. Source: News Limited

The England and Wales Cricket Board has experienced a considerable amount of resistance from their players in the wake of strict helmet guidelines announced late last year, and Cricket Australia will have to work closely with their stars to ensure a generational change begins to take shape in regards to safety.

Despite the affinity players feel towards Hughes, cricketers by nature are creatures of comfort and are often extremely hesitant to embrace change.

Several Australian batsmen have worn the stem-guards in the nets at training but precious few have been prepared to wear them in matches and then persevere.

England opener Nick Compton was a close friend and former flatmate of Hughes, but has already spoken out about new helmet measures as being over the top.

“For me there are so many rules and regulations now,” Compton told London’s The Telegraph.

“Health and safety and all these regulations - they do my head in.

“You look at the Phil Hughes incident. It was well publicised that he was one of my best friends and I’m always thinking of him, but what happened was a freak accident.

Test captain Steve Smith wears a helmet featuring a clip-on stem guard. Source: News Corp Australia

“Those helmets have been used by thousands of players in the past and have done very well.

“All these new regulations takes away the freedom that sport is associated with. The whole point of sport for me growing up was freedom, and being away from rules and conforming.

“Sport should be about going out there and expressing yourself, but it seems that everything around you is everything but.

“It’s so conforming and restricting and I just hope that we don’t take away from natural game.”

England captain Alastair Cook was hit with a warning from the ECB for continuing to wear non-approved helmets, and has continued to voice his displeasure that new helmets restrict his sight when facing.

Former Australian Test opener Chris Rogers has hit back at players like Cook and Compton claiming that players have a duty to put safety ahead of comfort and that it only takes a handful of net sessions to adjust to the new equipment.