Australian cricketer dies from injuries

[PeteC]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/ ... m-injuries

Very sad indeed. I'm still not quite sure how it happened as video is sketchy. Perhaps a one in a million deflection off the bat that hit him just right on the back left of his skull. Only 25 years old. RIP mate.

[lomuamart]

The delivery was a bouncer, Pete.
That's when a fast bowler deliberately digs the ball in well short of a length so it bounces up and is meant to go through to the batsman at head height. It's intimidatory bowling designed mainly to unsettle the batsman.
The number of these deliveries permissible in an over was limited years ago but they're part and part of the game.
I read yesterday that the batsman was wearing an "old style" helmet that dosn't afford the same level of protection as the new ones.
Nevertheless, it's a sad day for cricket. Deaths or serious injury are very rare despite these bowling tactics.
RIP Philip Hughes.

[easyas]

RIP Phillip Hughes.
As tragic as his death is, perhaps it's a blessing that he was spared Michael Schumacker's ordeal and probable equally tragic final outcome.

[Zidane]

Apparently he was hit on the neck by a ball travelling at 90 mph.The neck is unprotected either by equipment or bone structure.
This led to damage to the main artery carrying blood to the brain causing bleeding and pressure building up inside the skull.
Phil Hughes was on a life support machine when he died and unable to breathe by himself.
A truly shocking accident......RIP Phil.

[PeteC]

The other part of this is the man who pitched the ball, a Sean Abbott. He must be completely devastated. Who can't feel badly for him.

[pharvey]

Truly shocking and another sad day for sport.

[pdm3547]

The other part of this is the man who pitched the ball, a Sean Abbott. He must be completely devastated. Who can't feel badly for him.

My thoughts exactly.

[pharvey]

The other part of this is the man who pitched the ball, a Sean Abbott. He must be completely devastated. Who can't feel badly for him.

My thoughts exactly.

I'd read a few days ago that counselling had been offered to all players involved in the match. Can't see any amount of counselling helping Sean Abbott at this point - the poor guy must be completely and utterly shell-shocked.

Will any changes to the game/protection come out of this or is it a case of a million in one accident? Would outlawing the "Bouncer" be detrimental to the game, or is it the wiser thing to do?

[dtaai-maai]

Will any changes to the game/protection come out of this or is it a case of a million in one accident? Would outlawing the "Bouncer" be detrimental to the game, or is it the wiser thing to do?

One in a million. The poor bloke had more chance of being run over.

I don't think there should be any changes. If they outlaw the bouncer, they'll also have to make all fielders wear helmets and stop them being within a certain distance of the batsman. Or insist on underarm bowling with tennis balls.

I don't mean to be flippant, but this was a terrible accident, nothing more, nothing less.

[pdm3547]

The other part of this is the man who pitched the ball, a Sean Abbott. He must be completely devastated. Who can't feel badly for him.

My thoughts exactly.

I'd read a few days ago that counselling had been offered to all players involved in the match. Can't see any amount of counselling helping Sean Abbott at this point - the poor guy must be completely and utterly shell-shocked.

Will any changes to the game/protection come out of this or is it a case of a million in one accident? Would outlawing the "Bouncer" be detrimental to the game, or is it the wiser thing to do?

I agree with dm. There are 10s of 1000s bouncers bowled all over the world every year. This is a freak high-profile accident.

I didn't know him, obviously, but I doubt PH would want the rules changed either.

[lomuamart]

I read that Philip Hughes is a bowler and normally batted at number 10 or so.
There might be some backlash about bowling bouncers at tailenders. There's no doubt that they can't react as quickly as established batsmen.
I havn't read any discussion about that yet though.

[sateeb]

I read that Philip Hughes is a bowler and normally batted at number 10 or so.
There might be some backlash about bowling bouncers at tailenders. There's no doubt that they can't react as quickly as established batsmen.
I havn't read any discussion about that yet though.

Not sure where you read that, but PH was primarily a top order batsman.

[PeteC]

"A cricket ball is made from a core of cork, which is layered with tightly wound string, and covered by a leather case with a slightly raised sewn seam."

I looked this up to see the difference from a US baseball. Not much. A baseball is made exactly the same way but I'm not sure if cork or something else at centre. I didn't look at diameter but I think a baseball is a bit larger, and has two seams.

There's a lot of balls hitting batters, catchers and umpires through the season, but mostly on the extremities. Some foul tips and pitches do hit the above people in the neck and head. I usually read about one or two per season where the batter is knocked cold, loses teeth, or breaks a jaw. Very rare though. The average MLB pitch speed is anywhere between about 82-103 mph. Pete

[PeteC]

I take it back, they are the same size:

[easyas]

The other part of this is the man who pitched the ball, a Sean Abbott. He must be completely devastated. Who can't feel badly for him.

My thoughts exactly.

I'd read a few days ago that counselling had been offered to all players involved in the match. Can't see any amount of counselling helping Sean Abbott at this point - the poor guy must be completely and utterly shell-shocked.

Will any changes to the game/protection come out of this or is it a case of a million in one accident? Would outlawing the "Bouncer" be detrimental to the game, or is it the wiser thing to do?

You would also have to outlaw the "six" shot altogether for fear of hurting a spectator. Ruin the game !