RIP Phil Hughes

[Black Orchid]

What a terribly sad thing to happen to one so young. He had a bright future to look forward to. Such a tragic accident.

I feel very sorry for Sean Abbott too. I cannot imagine how he might feel.

[skippy]

Yes it's tragic. I'm not much of a cricket fan ( I know un Australian) but this sort of news is just devastating. It must be very hard for Abbott to try and deal with I hope he recovers and goes on to a long successful career.

[Rorschach]

Phil's copped a pretty raw deal with cricket Australia.
It was good to see him getting back in the team.
Then this... I was totally shocked by it.
It is so sad that this happened to him.

As for the Cricket officianados saying it was just a tragic accident... well it probably was... but if bowlers had a better attitude and tried only bowling people out and not knocking their blocks off, it probably never would have happened. Puhlease don't tell us fast bowlers don't deliberately try to intimidate and hurt batsmen... we know they do.

[AiA in Atlanta]

Even Americans, who know nothing of cricket, are talking about this.

[Neferti]

Very sad. Everyone I know is talking about it too.

[mantra]

It's a tragic end for a young man.

but if bowlers had a better attitude and tried only bowling people out and not knocking their blocks off, it probably never would have happened. Puhlease don't tell us fast bowlers don't deliberately try to intimidate and hurt batsmen... we know they do.

I don't watch much cricket - but those hard balls do look intimidating when pitched at such speed, not just the bowling but the batting as well. It's surprising that this is only the second death in cricket caused through a ball hitting this particular spot on the head. They'll probably redesign the helmets now for better protection.

[AiA in Atlanta]

A corollary, American football (a dull, over-complicated game) has its players ridiculously protected with helmets, pads, etc yet players, as they age, are showing serious signs of brain damage. Suicide and violence among retired professional football players is becoming more and more common ... all caused by brain trauma sustained while playing. High schools are taking more and more precautions yet more and more parents are refusing to let their sons play. I imagine that American football, one day, will no longer be the dominate sport in the USA because of the dangers.

[Rorschach]

Any baseball players died playing the game AiA?

[Neferti]

Any baseball players died playing the game AiA?

We called it rounders when I was at school. I also played vigoro (another bat and ball game) at school (plus several other sports).

[Black Orchid]

We called it softball at school.

We also had to play cricket at school with the nuns. I have hated the game ever since and never watch it. Standing out in the sun all day hanging around wasn't my idea of sport or fun.