As the ball thudded into the back of the net at my cricket training the other night, all 40 players in our squad braced themselves, and were swiftly relieved to discover no one was hurt.
A batsman had cracked an aerial straight drive into the back net, conveniently missing all the bowlers standing around.
Granted, this happens at cricket training almost every week, but it stood out as a reminder of how dangerous a game cricket can be.
What also astounded me, as it tends to most week at practice, was the reasonably large amount of batsmen batting without helmets in the nets. We have some useful quicks skidding the ball in at speeds up to 130km/h. Taking guard against any form of pace bowling without a helmet seems senseless.
It makes you think of the unbelievable tragedy of Phillip Hughes last November, a life taken far too young. It was a freak accidents, however we know it can happen, so why would anyone take that risk? You probably don’t get teammates bowling short stuff in the nets, but is that really an excuse to not wear a helmet?
Following Hughes’ passing, we saw the release of new helmets that protect the back of the neck where Phil was struck. Yet how many of these new helmets do you seen worn in world cricket right now, nine months on? In the Australian side I can think of Michael Clarke, maybe Peter Nevill? Not too many at all.
Events I have seen in cricket – from the top level to my own suburban league – highlight just how dangerous the game can be. I find it fascinating that despite measures being available to protect cricketers, batsmen more so, they are still not adopting them.
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