Watching batsmen flinch under a bouncer used to get ex-Test quick Rodney Hogg “pumped up”.
Not any longer.
The shocking head injury to Phillip Hughes has filled the self proclaimed former Australian “lunatic fast bowler” with remorse after terrorising batsmen over a six-year Test career.
But it has also prompted the perhaps insensitive call from the outspoken former speedster that NSW paceman Sean Abbott may have a “cross to bear” for the rest of his life in the wake of the Hughes incident.
Hogg is the first to admit he enjoyed intimidating the opposition in a bruising 38-Test career that began with a remarkable 41-wicket haul for a World Series-depleted Australia against England in 1978-79.
“It’s like playing footy if you knock someone out and keep playing the ball down the ground,” Hogg told SEN radio of bouncing batsmen.
But Hogg revealed he could not sleep on Tuesday night after hearing of Hughes being felled by Abbott in the now abandoned NSW-South Australia Sheffield Shield clash.
“An incident like this now I’ll certainly reflect and look differently upon some of the guys that I’ve hit over the years,” Hogg said.
“I think I’m like a lot of cricketers, just in total shock.
“Over the years you send all these short balls down and you are probably trying to hit people, but when something like this happens it just drives a nail through your heart.
“I couldn’t sleep last night, I was so upset.”
Hogg said the freak Hughes accident brought back nightmare memories of Test teammate Rick Darling’s brush with death in 1979.
English players and umpires saved Australian opener Darling’s life after he was struck in the heart by a rising delivery by Bob Willis and collapsed on the pitch during an Adelaide Ashes Test.
Darling’s chewing gum became lodged in his throat and he nearly choked to death.
Hogg hoped for Abbott’s sake Hughes also made a similar recovery to Darling.
“I remember back to the whole crowd at the Adelaide Oval when Rick Darling got hit in the heart and was brought back to life when he stopped breathing,” Hogg said.
“We’re just praying that Phillip can pull through, but if he doesn’t it will certainly be a cross to bear for young Abbott the rest of his life.”
Former England captain Michael Vaughan predicted the Hughes incident would provide more sleepless nights – for batsmen.
“Batsmen will now feel that while they are out in the middle they are in a world that is full of danger with the risk of serious injury,” Vaughan wrote in his Telegraph column.
Davros
Guest
Also further to what I have written ...what about the brave new night cricket experiment.? Listening to the cricket heirachy it is onwards and upwards ...this despite to a man the players involved say it is far more difficult to se the pink rock especially at dusk ...with the ball taking on a comet like tail . I recently watched a top line quick with a new pink rock at dusk bowling short ...and I wondered where we are heading ? But lets not worry about that when there is more revenue to be wrung from the sport. Also when are we going to have a serious discussion about the inevitable maiming of fast bowlers as they finish there follow thru meters from top line t 20 sloggers with monster bats ...there is absolutely no protection for these guys except there reflexes . As some thoughtful commentators have recently said it is only a matter of time . I believe the identifiable risk is clearly there for all to see and that the game / circus definitely owes a duty of care .
Davros
Guest
I can see no reason why the helmet manufactures will not be able to design a helmet that protects the area where hughes and rohrer were recently hit . I believe helmet design has remained stagnant and there has been a distinct lack of will to wear anything to different or out there ....we now have the impetous to change all that . Also I watch a fair bit of shield cricket live and I am perplexed about the rules in regard to short pitched bowling...not naming names I recently watched a couple of top quicks work over several batsman on a flat deck (which can be more dangerous ) ...they repeatedly bowled short ball after ball one in particular had the crowd yelling insults ...and it was quite clear that the bowlers were basically trying too hit , hurt and maim ...there is no polite way of hiding this fact ...I feel particularly concerned for lower middle order players who have some batting ability ...they are expected to fall quickly by the opposition and when they put up resistance ...well some quicks go a bit nutso . I think this mindset needs to change a little ...sure the short ball is a very important surprise delivery and it has its place in top line cricket ...but deliberate repeated short pitched bowling where the obvious intention is to hit or maim should rightly be looked at . imho