4 in 10 cricket injuries occur to the wrist or hand – will you be safe?

Cricket is one of the world’s most beloved sports and is bound to stay this way. The sport that’s second only to soccer in the top most watched sports worldwide has millions of fans, some of whom are less lucky and encounter accidents and injuries from time to time.

According to reports, 4 in 10 injuries occurring while playing cricket affect the hand or wrist, which makes sense given the pressure that’s exerted on these body parts.

If you play cricket, you’re likely competitive and don’t think twice about whether the move you are about to make will have physical repercussions. This is how some of these accidents occur, and due to this, we want to shed light on some of the most influential things such misfortunate events can imply so that you can keep engaging in your favourite sport knowledgeful. Here’s what you should do if you go through a similar accident, plus other common risks when playing cricket that you shouldn’t take lightly.

Increased risk of hand damage – and more

Cricket players are generally at higher risk of causing harm to their hands – in a similar way to how soccer players can sprain their ankles, injure their anterior cruciate ligaments, or incur meniscal tears. Such accidents inevitably lead to lost days playing the sport. For soccer players, for instance, a mean in the 7-22 days range has been found to occur when injuries are incurred, according to studies. At the same time, among 348 male academy cricketers from the First-Class County Cricket crews in Wales and England, the mean injury incidence annually stood at 1.15 instances.

A&E doctors keep being solicited

With cricket matches underway and many upcoming battles until the last days of May, 2025, accident and emergency doctors may have some cases on the plate. This is a tall order from more perspectives, impacting not only the injured sports player, but also individuals who get or don’t get in touch with them.

Think of the instances where car crashes can occur while cricketers move from point A to B to partake in those matches. These accidents are a saddening reality, and those seriously injured in traffic collisions could have more than their physical rehabilitation to focus on, including all sorts of legal matters. Fortunately, if they can find solace in anything, then it is that expert lawyers work to help them secure the compensation deserved if someone else’s fault or negligence caused the accident. This applies in more situations, such as when the cricket terrain isn’t paved and prepared appropriately, which raises injury risks. It’s soothing to remember that you’re not alone in such challenging times, in case you ever go through a similarly daunting situation.

Pay attention to the ring and little fingers

While every finger is being used, more or less, it’s the little and ring ones that bear the brunt of hand injuries. Cricket players get hit by balls in their fingers when the time to clench their fists is short, or their reflexes are lacking. Such accidents generally occur during fielding, so many doctors recommend cricket players buddy-strap their digits during that stage.

More importantly, it’s generally advised not to treat the finger alone and unsupervised to prevent more damage. An X-ray diagnostic is the wisest thing to do if your fingers hurt, determining whether it’s broken or not. Swelling often comes as a repercussion of bruising or hematoma, and they’re common in most injuries. If it turns out that it’s broken, not taking action can only worsen your pain, for it can mend in harmful ways and bring about the need to re-break it to reset it in the right direction.

Play it diligently and safely, and you may save plenty of costs and risks down the road.

Getting the top cricket swings

Despite being a non-contact play, this sport generates quite a lot of accidents. It’s typical for seasoned and starting cricket players to injure their wrists, digits, and overall, hands. Some of the most common harms include sprained wrists, broken bones, and finger dislocation, among others. For these damages may interfere with your field time, we want to ensure you’re getting the handiest tips for caring for your hands. Ready?

Finger or wrist injuries are old hats, so if you experience such tragedy, learn there are things to do to improve your condition. Ice should be instantly applied to help prevent or eliminate swelling and reduce pain. At the same time, you should grab some tape for your finger. Get a recommendation for an X-ray from your general practitioner and revisit the specialist during and after your recovery to ensure you’re fine and can proceed with playing. These doctors should also point you in the right direction if you need mental help, be it for yourself or for the bills to be repaid in your compensation.  

Similarly, you can reach out to a hand therapist to assess your finger, wrist, and so on. They can make a personalized splint, help you reduce pain, and let you know when getting back to your loved sport is safe. During times like these, everyone’s goal is to help get you back on track and moving on with your life in the perfect condition possible.

Other common accidents generated by cricket matches

Your hand isn’t the only body part you can harm during cricket confrontations. The shoulder is another area that’s used and subject to injury, mostly as a result of fielding. Relying too much on it when catapulting the ball may result in problems like biceps tendinitis, rotator cuff degenerative modifications, or supraspinatus tendon tears. When red flags make you worry about your shoulder’s health, check a doctor and save yourself some stress in the future.

Lastly, your elbows could be impacted as well, mostly if your technique of using them is incorrect. Some movements may lead to excess strain on your joints and an eventual inflammation and swelling of the tendons situated around the elbow.

Both rehabilitation and physiotherapy can help decrease pain, swelling, and lack of balance in your forearm.

Playing cricket or enjoying someone else’s match is fun and games until something as unpreventable as a slip, trip, or fall occurs and possibly results in daunting repercussions. Ensure you prioritize your safety and health to keep enjoying your favourite sport!