The tragic and premature demise of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes, who was hit by a bouncer at the back of his head in what has been described as a freak accident, has shocked the cricketing fraternity. Hughes was just three days short of his 26th birthday. The accident has opened the lid on a debate that centres around the rules of the game, with special reference to bowlers using the bouncer — the statutory limitations governing its use and emphasis on cricketers wearing protective gear for safety on the pitch.
One conversation needs to be separated from the other. On protective gear, it is important to stress that one can never do enough to guarantee against injury of any kind in sport. Accidents will happen and, hopefully, the gravity of it can be kept at a minimum through proper protection. The International Cricket Council has done its due diligence on the use of bouncers and put a ceiling on its maximum usage. The tragedy notwithstanding, it is important that the fabric of the game does not go through too many alterations. It is what cricketers, batsmen and bowlers will want. It is part of the appeal that inspired Hughes to play the game in the first place.
