The more competitive a sport - the bigger the risk factor ! All players hone their skills to try and achieve a winning edge and that brings with it the rewards of both fame and fortune. Our top sports people feature heavily in the media and the money they earn takes them to the top of the celebrity list. Many have earnings that rival those of screen stars and the top acts of the music world.
The safety rules that apply are usually a response to individual accidents that injure a star player and attract wide publicity. In Rugby League the use of what was called the "Spear tackle " was banned after isolated accidents left players with spinal damage, resulting in paraplegia. Tackles that involve lifting an opponents feet off the ground now bring a penalty. Any head contact needs medical attention to ensure that concussions is not present.
This week tragedy struck during a game of cricket. A mistimed stroke resulted in a cricket ball hitting Phil Hughes on the side of his head and doing major medical damage. Hughes collapsed on the pitch and was rushed to hospital by air ambulance - and is now in an induced coma. The result of the injury will not be known until brain swelling subsides and this incident has thrown the spotlight on how this ancient game can improve safety.
Decades ago batsmen faced the bowler with just the protection of a baggy green hat to protect their head. As the skill and crowd drawing power of the "fast bowler "increased the accident level rose accordingly and now players wear a safety helmet with a metal grid covering the forward section of the face. Phil Hughes was wearing such a helmet, but the ball struck him under the ear - with catastrophic results.
A cricket ball weighs about 160 grams and can reach a speed of 135 kph. It's impact is likened to that of a bullet. The speed is intended to deceive the batsman and either send the stumps flying, or glance off the bat or pads and be caught by one of the fielders. If it is bowled "short "on the pitch it is quite capable of arriving at head height. Batsmen wear "pads "to protect their legs and over time various other protective gear has been added to lessen body injuries caused by ball strikes.
This accident has the sporting world debating this entire safety question. Should cricket adopt the full helmet head protection worn by drivers of racing cars ? Is head protection sufficient ? A body blow from a cricket ball is quite capable of causing major injury which can sometimes set off a chain of later serious consequences. Do we want to see batsmen waddle to the crease encompassed in armour like medieval knights ?
Some may question the wisdom of allowing "fast "bowling. Many years ago the game of cricket was brought into disrepute when the infamous "bodyline "tactic was used to intimidate and injure batsmen. The objective was to use the ball as a virtual "weapon " to drive rival batsmen back into the pavilion. Since then, ball delivery speeds have actually increased as bowlers gain more skills.
Crowds still come to see the game of cricket because it is a contest between batsmen and bowlers. A speedily bowled ball is a legitimate tactic of the game and cricket would be virtually unwatchable if it were removed from play. Somewhere the answer is a matter of balance, between allowing the full range of bowling tactics to take advantage of the surface of the wicket and yet protecting the batsman from serious physical harm.
This accident has done the game a service by making protection an issue to be fully and publicly examined. The modern new materials of the twenty-first century should make it possible to solve this problem while still retaining the charm and spirit of a hallowed game. Anything less would be unthinkable !
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