I thought that humans are designed to flee at the sight of any harmful object- object that could harm someone physically . Why is it that some people are doing the opposite? Why would some one want to catch a hard cricket ball knowing that it can harm you? Where is the body's response to fleeing in such a situation? Is this because the design also accepts challenges?
Today, I read the news about the young lad who lost his life playing cricket for Surrey league. He collapsed at the field soon after a ball hit his chest. No amount of words can carry my sympathies for his family. There are similar stories of young children dying in the cricket field after getting hit by a ball.
It makes me think, what are the safety standards for a sport like cricket? My son plays cricket for his cricket club across Surrey and there isn't a single day I don't winge about the safety. Batsmen and Wicket keepers normally are protected, but the cricket world is not doing enough. What is protecting their neck and spine? The fielders are at a greater risk for bone fractures, leave alone losing life.
I strongly feel that cricket sporting standards should create awareness about this and do more research in to accessories to provide protection. Young kids like mine do not even know what risks they have and it is vital that these are explained to them before they take up the sport.
If hitting a ball is going to cost someone's life, my son may not be willing to play the sport.
Sometimes my words fall on the deaf ears of my other half and I get fed up if he pulls up the stats saying that cricketers have the same risk of someone hit by a lightening... the argument continues, but I not willing to change my stand.
Risk assessments and limitations should be done for all sports. It is probably safer to drive an F1 car than to play cricket, I think.
Today, I read the news about the young lad who lost his life playing cricket for Surrey league. He collapsed at the field soon after a ball hit his chest. No amount of words can carry my sympathies for his family. There are similar stories of young children dying in the cricket field after getting hit by a ball.
It makes me think, what are the safety standards for a sport like cricket? My son plays cricket for his cricket club across Surrey and there isn't a single day I don't winge about the safety. Batsmen and Wicket keepers normally are protected, but the cricket world is not doing enough. What is protecting their neck and spine? The fielders are at a greater risk for bone fractures, leave alone losing life.
I strongly feel that cricket sporting standards should create awareness about this and do more research in to accessories to provide protection. Young kids like mine do not even know what risks they have and it is vital that these are explained to them before they take up the sport.
If hitting a ball is going to cost someone's life, my son may not be willing to play the sport.
Sometimes my words fall on the deaf ears of my other half and I get fed up if he pulls up the stats saying that cricketers have the same risk of someone hit by a lightening... the argument continues, but I not willing to change my stand.
Risk assessments and limitations should be done for all sports. It is probably safer to drive an F1 car than to play cricket, I think.
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