Not so Fast
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The Phillip Hughes situation has understandably sickened the sporting world. Cricket players from around the world have united in expressing sympathy and support in a good example of adversity bringing out the best in humanity.
One of those expressing concern has been Brendon McCullum who makes a lot of sense before losing sight of the bigger issue.
Bouncers are a part of cricket, and talk to remove them would make the sport an unfair contest between bat and ball; something it is steadily becoming as it is.
It’s also worth noting that in this case, and the recent felling of Ahmed Shehzad by Corey Anderson, the bowler concerned has not been of extreme pace, the pitches involved were very slow, and the batsman was well set. This wasn’t like facing Sylvester Clarke on a green top.
What that proves is that a batsman is probably at his most vulnerable when he a comfortable or complacent state of mind. Hopefully other batsmen will take note of that.
Where McCullum doesn’t get it, and he has been far from alone in this, in saying “We just hope that… he can make a full comeback into the game”. Well right now, that should be the last thing on anyone’s mind. The guy is in intensive care in hospital and is likely to be there for some time.
Putting that aside it seems that some of the lessons not being learnt in other sports are also not being learnt in cricket. After such a serious head injury even putting on a helmet again, let alone getting hit again could be disastrous. It is right to wish him a full recovery, but the focus in the recovery should be all about taking care. Bigger picture people.
Hopefully he does make that full recovery and is able to lead a normal life. But when it comes to the question of returning to the game, let’s hope he takes more notice of medical staff than other cricketers.
Awful thing to happen of course, though I’ll stick up a bit for Brendon Mc. here. The part about ‘making a full comeback’ was probably trotted out by way of being a pretty standard response to the incident- the guy does have a test side to lead at the minute so that may have been occupying most of his deeper thoughts (I could be drawing a bit of a long bow to presume that however). Dunno…
A very pertinent issue you raise about head trauma though- and here’s another thought along that line: Why the hell is a cricket ball made with such hard compounds? I mean, the thing is a lethal enough projectile at those speeds even when it’s a softer composite-type variety of ball. The ICC should really investigate that issue further. (I suspect most people may disagree with me on this tho’).
Fair points.
I guess what I’m saying is that full recovery must not be measured on playing again.
Oh absolutely, agree with you a hundy on that. And one must hope that sport is slowly and finally coming out of the dark ages regarding brain trauma injuries.
Leg Break said :
Bouncers are a part of cricket, and talk to remove them would make the sport an unfair contest between bat and ball
signman said :
Sad news about Hughes… but it’s not about removing Bouncers from the game, more about how a batsman executes them, if a batsmen as in Hughes case is trying to pull or hook a ball when it’s in line with their body they’re a prime candidate to get their front teeth knocked out etc, if it’s pull shot height get in behind it, or hooking height let it go, play those shots when it’s a bit wider of your body.
Phillip Hughes has suffered a significant brain injury. Being able to live a normal life at some time in the future will be a victory for him, but even that is likely to be some way off.
Let’s not forget Michael Schumacher, still not in a fully conscious state after suffering severe brain trauma in January. I’m sure his family would love him to be able to live a relatively normal life too, but that’s unlikely..
Phillip Hughes has a long journey ahead. Cricket should be his least consideration.
Hi Tony,
Long time no hear. And well said. Good call on the Schumacher analogy
Taken too soon. Simply awful. R.I.P. Phillip Hughes.
A tragedy like this far outweighs any rejonders along the lines of it being a knee jerk reaction if we were to start talking of banning the bouncer from cricket.
The argument that bowlers don’t attempt to maim is rather superfluous as any ball aimed at the head has the potential to result in death, as we have now horribly seen. Easy to be wise after the event, but that’s my two penneth worth.