Is " Bodyline " Bowling Back ?

When former test captain Steve Smith took a hit on his neck and fell to the pitch cricket fans looked on in horror.  Memories flooded back to November in 2014 when a similar accident killed Australian great Philip Hughes.   Cricket is supposed to be a contest between gentlemen.  Some may be wondering if this is the return of that infamous " bodyline " bowling tour from 1932-33.

That was when Don Bradman regularly made centuries and in desperation the touring English side decided that bowling at the stumps was so ineffective that a change of tactics was required.  Their fast bowlers were tasked with bowling at the batsman in the hope that contact with a fast delivered bowling ball would be their undoing.

Cricket today remains a contest between bat and ball but what the crowds come to see is the skill of the fast bowlers.  Ball speed is actually measured by radar and commentators are jubilant when a really fast ball is delivered.   If that delivery is a shade " short " then the ball is likely to make contact with the batsman's head and that is considered  a legitimate delivery.

All Australian sports are now conscious of the risks of concussion.   The rules have been changed and it is now required that players must leave the field after a head clash.  Steve Smith was cleared of concussion and returned to play, but later a second evaluation detected damage and he was rested for a day.   The fact that he was not wearing special neck protection and relied on the standard players helmet is now a talking point in cricket circles.

A batsman would not think of going to the crease without pads to protect his legs from the impact of cricket balls, and most would also wear groin protection and a helmet is now standard attire.   Some have added neck protection which came into vogue as a result of Philip Hughe's death, but it is far from universally accepted.   Some find it uncomfortable and constricting but we are now seeing regular contact with cricket balls that pose a risk of serious injury.

That " bodyline " bowling tactic back in 1932-33 was considered unsporting but it is evident that bowlers today have the expectation that some deliveries may make contact with the batsman - and not the bat.   The umpires would intercede if they considered that too many of a bowlers deliveries had that intent.

There is no suggestion of putting a limit on bowling speed, but it also seems possible that safety regulations may end up with batsmen shuffling to the pitch encased in body armour.  That would certainly detract from the appeal of the game as a spectator sport but is seems reasonable that helmets with neck safety may be made mandatory.

The degree of protection required must be a decision by the individual and that depends on the skill acquired.  What the spectators go to watch is the contest between bowlers and batsmen and cricket is not supposed to be a blood sport  !