I'm writing this in the aftermath of the death of Phillip Hughes. The thoughts are rambling, but all linked by how his death has affected me
Like a lot of Aussie kids, I dreamt about wearing the Baggy Green. That was thirty odd years ago, and my technique was frankly lacking to make it further than local park cricket. That said, I continued to play outdoor and indoor cricket well into my 30's. I played a lot, and watched even more. Any player who picks up a bat and faces a fast bowler from 22 yards away knows there is some risk of being hit, and that it will hurt.
Phillip Hughes was a player from the modern era. Yes, he too dreamt of playing Test cricket for Australia, and was fortunate to do so 26 times. His career was a patchy one, being dropped several times, and fighting his way back. His technique was not text book, and often was criticised for his method against the short ball. Sadly, it was a bouncer that ended Hughes' life in a Sheffield Shield match this week that struck him on the neck, rupturing an artery and causing catastrophic haemeraging to the brain.
Media have been, and will be, seeking blame. This is a useless exercise, and just sensationalising Hughes' death. In my mind, the real lesson to be learnt from the incident at the SCG on Tuesday 25th November 2014, and the events that followed is the importance of training and technique. Players can reach the top level of cricket, but still have flaws. When those flaws put their lives at risk, no amount of body protection can save them.
I watched the press conference this afternoon involving two doctors, the head of Cricket Australia, and our nations Test captain. It was a moving moment I won't forget in a hurry. It did annoy me that a question was asked about what if Hughes had reached hospital quicker. Yes, there were delays getting an ambulance to the SCG, but the reality is, it probably wold not have made any difference. There are sure to be pieces written over the next few days, and throughout this Summer on whether Hughes had the right helmet, how his technique failed him (Ian Chappell must be waiting for ESPNCrickInfo to give him a green light), how he was destined for another crack at the top level, etc. All this won't change history.
I have seen an outpouring of emotion for Phillip Hughes, and support for Sean Abbott, the bowler, on Facebook & Twitter from around the world. From Test cricketers to casual sports fans, this has impacted people who knew Hughes well, and thise who merely had seen him on TV. As a former cricketer who struggled with the bat at the best of times, I felt sickened when I first saw the incident on Tuesday, and saddened by Hughes' demise. His life will be celebrated, his death remembered.
Some context about Phillip Hughes' death. Serious head injuries in cricket are rare. They are not so rare in football codes such as AFL, Rugby League and Rugby Union. To some extent, it is this fact that made the cricketer's death so shocking. The impact on the body of a cricket ball delivered at pace can hurt. Modern protective equipment such as helmets, arm guards, and improved technologies for pads and gloves means that serious injuries are less likely that in Bradman's era of Bodyline. Cricket is safer as a result. The same can't be said for the football codes, where head knocks are a weekly occurrence. Yes, these knocks don't have the same velocity as a cricket ball delivered at 90 miles per hour, but the cumulative effects of tackles around the head, and other impacts are now being proven to have long term effects.
I'd love to have had a boy grow up and play cricket for Australia. I have two girls, and they may yet grow up to be the next Alyce Perry and play cricket for Australia. If they do choose cricket, one thing I can't stress to them enough is the importance of listening to their coaches about playing the short ball.
