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The Cricket Thread

Devastating news. So sad. Also a thought for Sean Abbott (the bowler) - it must be soul destroying for him.

A sad day for cricket and cricket fans. :(
 
LutonSpurs said:
Devastating news. So sad. Also a thought for Sean Abbott (the bowler) - it must be soul destroying for him.

A sad day for cricket and cricket fans. :(
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So so true, its very rare i give a monkeys about any thing like this but this one has really struck a cord for some reason.

Thoughts are with his family and the bowler.
 
Terrible news, desperately sad. Just incredibly bad luck to be hit the way he was.

Hope the bowler gets the help he'll need.
 
Horrible news about Philip Hughes, devastated for his friends, family and especially for Sean Abbott. A tragedy on more than one front.

I wonder how it will effect cricket in general, will such a freak accident change the protection cricketers get or will the rules be changed?
 
It hit him in the top of neck. Not really a helmet issue. If anything gets addressed it's the short ball. Cricket fans will hate this but a man has died due to it so it has to be a discussion.
 
LutonSpurs said:
It hit him in the top of neck. Not really a helmet issue. If anything gets addressed it's the short ball. Cricket fans will hate this but a man has died due to it so it has to be a discussion.
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I actually think most people will agree a discussion must be had. I'm not sure this is a question of banning the bouncer though, how many millions on bouncers have been bowled without such tragic outcomes? I do wonder if it may be possible to offer some kind of neck protection for players.

The question should be whether this is the kind of freak accident that could happen in many sports, or could become a recurring problem? I think it'd make sense to introduce NFL style concussion testing in all sports, including when cricketers are hit by the bowler.

It shouldn't be forgotten that an umpire died after being hit in the head by a ball a few years ago. Considering umpires (and generally other fielders) don't wear helmets it can be assumed that was considered an accident. Regardless of the outcome, I hope the ICC looks seriously at the issue.
 
A footballer could take an impact to that side of the neck and suffer the same outcome. It's just one of those things.
 
Richie said:
I actually think most people will agree a discussion must be had. I'm not sure this is a question of banning the bouncer though, how many millions on bouncers have been bowled without such tragic outcomes? I do wonder if it may be possible to offer some kind of neck protection for players.

The question should be whether this is the kind of freak accident that could happen in many sports, or could become a recurring problem? I think it'd make sense to introduce NFL style concussion testing in all sports, including when cricketers are hit by the bowler.

It shouldn't be forgotten that an umpire died after being hit in the head by a ball a few years ago. Considering umpires (and generally other fielders) don't wear helmets it can be assumed that was considered an accident. Regardless of the outcome, I hope the ICC looks seriously at the issue.
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Agree. It's not about banning the bouncer but I fear this may be the discussion. For me it is an outlier. A one off. A horrible accident. We mourn the tragedy but we move on eventually when everyone is ready.
 
Was looking at photos of the funeral service this morning and there's one of his Mum sitting in the car crying. It really, really choked me up.
 
Full transcript of Michael Clarke's eulogy
I'm deeply honoured to have been asked by Phillip's family to speak today. I am humbled to be in the presence of you, his family, his friends and his community. He was so proud of Macksville and it is easy to see why today.

Taken from the game, his family and loved ones at the age of just 25, he left a mark on our game that needs no embellishment.

I don't know about you, but I keep looking for him. I know it is crazy but I expect any minute to take a call from him or to see his face pop around the corner.

Is this what we call the spirit? If so, then his spirit is still with me. And I hope it never leaves.

I walked to the middle of the SCG on Thursday night, those same blades of grass beneath my feet where he and I and so many of his mates here today have built partnerships, taken chances and lived out the dreams we paint in our heads as boys. The same stands where the crowds rose to their feet to cheer him on and that same fence he sent the ball to time and time again. And it is now forever the place where he fell.

I stood there at the wicket, I knelt down and touched the grass. I swear he was with me.

Picking me up off my feet to check if I was OK. Telling me we just needed to dig in and get through to tea. Telling me off for that loose shot I played. Chatting about what movie we might watch that night. And then passing on a useless fact about cows.

I could see him swagger back to the other end, grin at the bowler, and call me through for a run with such a booming voice a bloke in the car park would hear it.

The heart of a man who lived his life for this wonderful game we play, and whose soul enriched not just our sport, but all of our lives.

Is this what indigenous Australians believe about a person's spirit being connected with the land upon which they walk? If so, I know they are right about the SCG. His spirit has touched it and it will be forever be a sacred ground for me.

I can feel his presence there and I can see how he has touched so many people around the world. The tributes to him from cricket lovers kept me going. The photos, the words, the prayers and the sense of communion in this loss from people across the globe have shown me his spirit in action. It has sustained me and overwhelmed me in equal measure.

And the love of my band of baggy green and gold brothers and sisters has held me upright when I thought I could not proceed. His spirit has brought us closer together - something I know must be him at work because it is so consistent with how he played and lived. He always wanted to bring people together and he always wanted to celebrate his love for the game and its people.

Is this what we call the spirit of cricket? From the little girl in Karachi holding a candlelight tribute to masters of the game like Tendulkar, Warne and Lara showing their grief to the world, the spirit of cricket binds us all together.

We feel it in the thrill of a cover drive. Or the taking of a screamer at gully, whether by a 12-year-old boy in Worcester or by Brendon McCullum in Dubai. It is in the brilliant hundred and five-wicket haul, just as significant to the players in a Western Suburbs club game as it is in a Test match.

The bonds that lead to cricketers from around the world putting their bats out, that saw people who didn't even know Phillip lay flowers at the gates of Lord's and that brought every cricketing nation on earth to make its own heartfelt tribute.

The bonds that saw players old and new rush to his bedside. From wherever they heard the news to say their prayers and farewells. This is what makes our game the greatest game in the world.

Phillip's spirit, which is now part of our game forever, will act as a custodian of the sport we all love.

We must listen to it. We must cherish it. We must learn from it. We must dig in and get through to tea. And we must play on.

So rest in peace my little brother. I'll see you out in the middle.
 
Wicket taken, Cook 34 (41) while Moeen 48* (27)

Is Cook really a one day player? The pace of the game doesn't suit his ODI career strike rate of 77
 
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