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The results of an independent review into the death of former Australian Cricket player Phil Hughes have been released, finding that nothing more could have been done to save his life after he was struck by a cricket ball in the neck during a Sheffield Shield match in November 2014.
Following the incident, Hughes was rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital, where he died a few days later.
A 62-page report, based on a review conducted by Melbourne-based barrister Mr David Curtain QC, found that Hughes’ treatment was appropriate after being struck in the neck, and the now mandated British Standard helmet would not have prevented the incident.
The report also found limited scientific evidence to suggest any current neck guard would prevent a similar tragedy from occurring in the future.
However, Cricket Australia said evaluations of neck guards will continue until a suitable one is found for the protection of players.
Guidelines regarding helmets have recently changed to make wearing the newly mandated helmet compulsory in all games run by Cricket Australia when facing fast, or medium-paced bowling. This is also the case for any wicketkeeper standing up to the stumps.
The final key point was that Cricket Australia have now made it compulsory to have a defibrillator at all grounds where a match is taking place in case any player suffers from a heart condition – whether that be due to an incident on-field, or something completely unrelated.
Cricket Australia have also stated that they are investigating the possibility of bringing a ‘concussion substitute’ into all their elite men and women’s cricket to enable medical staff to rule players with a head injury or concussion out.
Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland endorsed the recommendations of the report.
“The global cricket community was deeply saddened by the tragic death of Phillip Hughes and the great loss his family suffered,” Sutherland said.
“We received Mr Curtain’s review last season and since that time we have been considering his recommendations and discussing with relevant bodies as to how we best make changes necessary to prevent an accident of this nature happening again.
“While there will always be a small risk we believe that the measures we have already taken and will enact following this review will reduce that risk even further.”
Cricket Australia have promised to cooperate fully with a coronial inquest into Phillip Hughes’ death, likely to take place in October.
“Never again do we want to see a tragedy of that nature happen on a cricket field and we have shared the findings of this review with the coroner,” Sutherland said.
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