Cricket fans on SS?

[MarkB]

Clearly Hughesy mistimed his hook shot. What's the point in raising it, though?

Because maybe the parent of little Johnny or little Mary reading this will realise that while helmets and other protective gear have their place in the game - that they are no substitute for a good technique.

It is sad that Phil Hughes is dead.

But I'm thinking about the next kid that might get hit in the head.

As I said Perp....

you shouldn't be hit in the head playing the hook shot, because the first rule of playing the hook shot is to get inside the line of the ball. Because that way if you miss completely - you don't get hit in the head.

 

[Perp]

So your point is that the problem is that Phillip Hughes didn't know the importance of good technique?

I beg to differ.

Neither appreciating the importance of technique, nor knowing what good technique is, mean that you never misjudge the pace of a ball, or play only perfect shots.

It sounds like you're saying that nobody should ever play cricket unless their technique is better than Phillip Hughes'. That's rather a high bar.

 

[depreciator]

I was a late convert to cricket, but it now says 'summer' to me. I like the tests - the idea of a game that lasts so long and you can dip in and out of is great. I am a bit of a fair weather supporter, though i.e. I am much more interested when the Aussie team is winning.
A mate of mine has what would be one of the best jobs in the country. He's the senior cricket writer for The Australian, gets asked to write biographies - Ron Barassi was a recent one, gets asked to ghost write autobiographies (not many sportspeople write their own) and in his spare time, gets paid to do beer reviews.
Scott

 

[Rixter]

I believe Phillip Hughes was hit due to him miss judging the ball, which altered his timing, which in turn placed him in the balls trajectory.

The ball was onto him faster than he judged. If the ball was slower and/or he was faster he would have been inside the line of the ball and not have been hit.

Its the bowlers job to deceive the batsman to draw him into playing a false shot in order to get the batman out.

No one's fault.

Both Abbot & Hughes were simply executing their roles within the game they loved to play.

It's just a freak accident.

 

[MarkB]

So your point is that the problem is that Phillip Hughes didn't know the importance of good technique?

Some are blessed with textbook technique - think Greg Chappell, Mark Waugh, David Gower, Sachin Tendulkar, etc.

Some, though not blessed with the same textbook technique, still score runs like there is no tomorrow - Graeme Pollock, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ian Chappell, even the great Allan Border.

But none of that matters since cricket is a bat on ball sport - at the end of the day your footwork, elbow and head can all be in the "wrong" place - but if you hit the ball in the middle (or where you want it to go) then it is all good.

Neither appreciating the importance of technique, nor knowing what good technique is, mean that you never misjudge the pace of a ball, or play only perfect shots.

No-one is perfect all of the time.

And, like many batters before him, and many after him - PC misjudged a bouncer and got sconed. Usually that is a couple of stitches and a very sore head. Sadly not in this case.

And I guess this is where people see different things.

Yes, he was beaten by that bouncer - that much is indisputable.

Helmets alone offer no guarantees

In the case of Hughes, it's not like it was a particularly vicious delivery anyway. If anything, he was beaten for lack of pace. He was through the shot a tad early, hence it clocked him just above the left ear. The helmet proved less than invincible, sadly. So the mere wearing of a helmet is no immunity.

But it shouldn't have clocked him. My point is that his head should never have been in a position to get hit - least of all by a ball slower than he suspected.

Which does make me wonder about whether the protection afforded to players makes them take safety for granted.

Look at this guy - he knew a thing or two about batting (and the guy bowling wasn't too shabby either) - look how he lines up the hook shot.

The moral of the story is simple - get in position (and get inside the line of the ball where your head is safe, see Chappelli at 2:30) and either play the shot or not (ie duck).

It sounds like you're saying that nobody should ever play cricket unless their technique is better than Phillip Hughes'. That's rather a high bar.

That's not what I am saying perp - so please don't put words in my mouth.

But poor technique is dangerous.

 

[TMNT]

you shouldn't be hit in the head playing the hook shot, because the first rule of playing the hook shot is to get inside the line of the ball. Because that way if you miss completely - you don't get hit in the head.

its armchair experts like you who ruin sports in general,

the ball is travelling at 80-150km per hour,

its a split second decision

do you think he has the time to open his text book and say, oh ok what shall do with this shot

also, even if he knew what he was technically suppsoed to do and surprise surprise he made a mistake!!!!!! thats what humans do, we make mistakes

I supposed you criticise formula one drivers for not swerving and consulting their text book while analysing their text books and choosing the right course of action while slamming into a wall at 300km/h
geez

 

[MarkB]

TMNT - you dont like cricket?

i hate cricket

 

[MarkB]

At the end of the day -

Hopefully more people (kids) realise that a helmet is not the be all and end all of protection - and if that makes them more cautious in playing the hook shot - that has to be a good thing.

and lastly

Vale Phillip Hughes - may the pitch be flat and the outfield fast in heaven.

 

[MarkB]

if you stopped spouting utter dribble

The saying is "utter drivel" - for the record.

If you are going to abuse me, at least don't abuse the English language in the process.

 

[TMNT]

The saying is "utter drivel" - for the record.

If you are going to abuse me, at least don't abuse the English language in the process.

I use the term drivel, always have, and always will,

I think it emphasies the point with people like yourself

 

[MarkB]

I use the term drivel, always have, and always wil

And yet you used the term dribble.

I think it emphasies the point with people like yourself

People like me...

Is it hard work being so perfect?

You're sad at Phillip Hughes - lots of people are - even people who actually like cricket (such as myself and, it seems, everyone else on this thread).

So Perp and I were having a little discussion - which is what people do - they express opinions - someones ones that differ.

But then Mr I Hate Cricket (you, btw) comes along and labels me an armchair critic who is ruining the game (you said sports in general, but the implication is the same).

What's it to you?

If you're intention was to look like a bit of a bully who just flies off the axe handle at people - congratulations, you succeeded.

 

[Tonibell]

And the winner is.....tonibell
Ross Edwards[/URL]

Wow - one of my favourites, such a great fielder.

Does that mean you are also related to Wally Edwards ?

I thought Wally and Ross were brothers but I'm not certain.

Ross was also one of the main singers on "Here come the Aussies" from memory.

I know Wally is still very prominent in administering the game - what is Ross up to ?

 

[MarkB]

Wow - one of my favourites, such a great fielder.

For years Ross Edwards was the only batter from WA to retire with a test avg over 40.

JL, Marto and (the import) Gilly (ex NSW) have since joined the list.

 

[Tonibell]

But poor technique is dangerous.

I would have thought cricket is less dangerous than most of the other mainstream sports.

Of course there will be changes to protective equipment - but it was just an isolated unfortunate event. I never knew that a hit to the neck could cause such a brain injury.

Vale Phil Hughes.

 

[Hoffy]

At the end of the day -

Hopefully more people (kids) realise that a helmet is not the be all and end all of protection - and if that makes them more cautious in playing the hook shot - that has to be a good thing.

and lastly

Vale Phillip Hughes - may the pitch be flat and the outfield fast in heaven.

I think it's a good point Mark. I watch a lot of Junior Cricket at club and rep level where it is almost unheard of for young players not to wear a helmet, even at U8 level where the balls are softer and much slower of course.

Our club mandates helmet use unless a parent waiver is signed. Only one parent has signed that form (former first class cricketer) because he believes the helmet is a developmental hindrance to his sons. The false sense of security provided leads to poor shot selection and almost the disappearance of proper evasive techniques. It's no coincidence that his boys are the best batsmen in their age groups and have never been struck (when nearly all others have).

They will don the helmet when the pace picks up of course, by which time they will be better equipped then their contemporaries.

I concur with his view, but lost the battle of the waiver with my wife.

 

[MarkB]

I watch a lot of Junior Cricket at club and rep level where it is almost unheard of for young players not to wear a helmet

@ Hoffy

Rewind 25 - 30 years when I was playing junior cricket and the helmet / no helmet ratio was reversed. We just didn't wear them and you certainly did learn to either duck or weave, etc.

I'm pleased to say that the only time I was hit in the head was as a 12 yr old and with an indoor cricket ball - though I was facing a QCA (Brisbane) 1st Grader (his grandfather lived 2 doors from us) at the time - so it was coming down at a rate of knots.

I fell on my stumps.

 

[Rixter]

Wow - one of my favourites, such a great fielder.

Does that mean you are also related to Wally Edwards ?

I thought Wally and Ross were brothers but I'm not certain.

Ross was also one of the main singers on "Here come the Aussies" from memory.

I know Wally is still very prominent in administering the game - what is Ross up to ?

Yes, a part from his batting forte, Ross specialised as a cover fieldsman and also back up (pardon the pun) wicket keeper for Australia & WA.

Ross & Wally are not brothers or related.

Below, is a photo of Ross & his Father who also played first class cricket for WA, taken in Sussex England at an Australian Tour Match.

View attachment Ross Edwards & his Father.docx

I think Wally has some sort of role with the WACA admin.

Ross now lives within easy walking distance of the Cottesloe Golf Club.

Each year he volunteers down at Cottesloe Beach at the annual Sculptures by the Sea Exhibition.

A few more photos that maybe of interest below...

View attachment 1969 WA State Cricket Team.docx

Ross in the 1969 WA State Cricket Team with Rob Meuleman, Dennis Lillee, Terry Prindiville, Terry McGill, Sam Gannon, Ian Brayshaw, Rod Marsh, Ross Edwards, Tony Locke, John Inverarity, Derek Chadwick.
Btw Tony Locke captained England plus WA and also coached me in my younger years.



View attachment 1973 Sheffield Shield Team.docx

The 1973 WA Sheffield Shield Team with Dennis Lillee, Paul Nicholls, Ken McAullay, Stan Wilson; middle row, Ric Charlesworth, Bob Massie, Les Varis, Brian Hanna; front row, Rod Marsh, John Inverarity, (Capt.), Ian Brayshaw, Ross Edwards.



View attachment 1976 Telethon Charity Match.docx

A 1976 Telethon Charity Match - The Telethon XI Team with Dougie Walters, Ian Chappell, Bob Massie, Ross Edwards is seated second from the right wearing pads, captained by Rodney Marsh.

 

[WattleIdo]

Great Rixter

 

[beachgurl]

When we were kids (in the 80s) one team that my brother ended up playing for, had a coach that wouldn't allow his kids to play unless they had a helmet. So all the kids had to learn. That coach was definitely the exception rather than the rule.

I was hit in the head once. Club training in indoor nets and the carpet was a little frayed in one spot. The ball hit that spot and then found the side of my head. I drove the hour home but shouldn't have with a stinking headache. I lost my nerve a little after that.

Like others have said, most can say they've been hit but until now its just been thought to be an unlucky part of the game. Even though Phil's passing is a freak accident I think it has changed the game in some way.

 

[WattleIdo]

Honestly, I've always been scared of cricket balls. This freak accident has affected us all but it's amazing that it's only happened this once.