BS: Australian Cricketer Dies From Injuries

Subject: RE: BS: Australian Cricketer Dies From Injuries
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 27 Nov 14 - 08:14 AM

In fact, McG, probably the majority of balls aren't aimed at the stumps. There are more ways to get a batsman out than by hitting the stumps!

Some bouncers are unfortunate accidents due to pitch conditions, ball out of shape, etc., but most are deliberately bowled, either as a temptation to the batsman to make a bad shot, or in an effort to intimidate him.

Subject: RE: BS: Australian Cricketer Dies From Injuries
From: Musket
Date: 27 Nov 14 - 06:34 AM

What has your question to do with cricket? Do you think every ball is aimed at the wicket?

Honestly, people will be calling 20/20 a game of cricket next..

Subject: RE: BS: Australian Cricketer Dies From Injuries
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 Nov 14 - 06:04 AM

How does a ball aimed at wickets 28 inches high hit a batsman getting on for six feet high? Assuming the ball is aimed at the wickets.

Subject: RE: BS: Australian Cricketer Dies From Injuries
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 27 Nov 14 - 05:06 AM

If anyone wishes to open an obituary thread, they're welcome to do so, and with my blessing Steve. But that's not the purpose for which I started this one - quite clearly stated in my OP.

Subject: RE: BS: Australian Cricketer Dies From Injuries
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 27 Nov 14 - 05:03 AM

I dunno. the 22 yards was decided on in the 18th century when people were about 5 foot 2 inches. nowadays people are about a foot taller, and they get classes on how to to chuck the ball as hard as possible.

I remember Frances Edmunds describing Jeff Thompson's delivery as homicidal.

an accident that was bound to happen. strange it doesn't happen quite regularly.

Subject: RE: BS: Australian Cricketer Dies From Injuries
From: GUEST,Steve Shaw
Date: 27 Nov 14 - 04:49 AM

The injury he suffered is exceptionally rare. I feel terribly sorry for the guy who bowled the ball as well as for the family of the dead man. Not a great time to be fretting about helmet design or batting technique, I feel.

Subject: RE: BS: Australian Cricketer Dies From Injuries
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 27 Nov 14 - 03:32 AM

I concur re: helmets are here to stay, and I should have made it clear in the OP. But I have to agree with Boyks, that the best way to avoid being hit is to know where the ball is. I guess I'm saying that improved headgear plus training to face the ball might be the way to go.

You're right about the modern game v. The 'old days', but that's pretty much the same throughout sport - the unfortunate effect of money, I believe.

Subject: RE: BS: Australian Cricketer Dies From Injuries
From: Musket
Date: 27 Nov 14 - 03:23 AM

Awful and tragic. The argument for and against helmets has been raging for a long time. On balance, they must have resulted in less injuries. It just doesn't seem logical otherwise.

Boycott may have a point, but whether that point is an argument for turning a freak accident to a systemic concern is another matter. When he played, nobody aimed a ball at silly mid on (for example) to intimidate them, largely because of possible injury. The game has become more competitive since then. Balls are faster as fitness and technique has improved. I used to be a regular at Worksop's annual Notts V Yorkshire as a lad and seeing players smoking and drinking pints waiting to bat?

We didn't need a third umpire when a batsman walked. The batsman knew better than anyone whether ball or pad had a nick, and we relied on sportsmanship. Now, they stand there till ordered out. Yeah, some didn't play fair but they were rare. It is visibly more competitive now. Go back before our time and when Larwood & co used the body line, there was a diplomatic breakdown with questions in both parliaments!

Helmets are here to stay, regardless. Boycott may be making a valid point but the odds of this being a problem for the future?

Subject: BS: Australian Cricketer Dies From Injuries
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 27 Nov 14 - 02:45 AM

As a lover of the world's greatest game, I'm very saddened by the death of Phil Hughes, the talented Australian Test Cricketer, following a head/neck-strike from a cricket ball. I'm sure that sport-lovers everywhere would wish to send their heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of this fine young sportsman.

Injuries suffered by sportsmen at any level in pursuance of the game they love and excel at are always sad, but this incident is especially poignant as the equipment designed to protect the batsman seems to have failed to do so effectively on this occasion.

Geoffrey Boycott, the ex-England and Yorkshire batsman has, in the past, expressed a belief that the modern-day use of helmets by batsmen has made the game more dangerous. His argument is that whereas, in the past when batsmen played without head-protection, they watched the ball carefully all the way in order to ensure their head was out of the track of the ball, nowadays when they wear helmets, they turn away from the ball and/or duck - thus they have no idea where the ball is going, and the chance of being struck is that much greater.

There are bound to be calls for improvements to head/neck protection for batsmen following Phil Hughes' tragic death, and that may well be something that's needed, but I'm inclined to believe that Geoffrey Boycott has a very good point and that better training of young batsmen is needed - to face the high ball, watch it closely, and not to turn away or duck.

I havent prefixed this thread as an obituary, as well as expressions of sympathy I'm hoping for a civil discussion of the issues this tragedy raises for the game. Please, guys, be respectful, no flaming, no trolling.