Donald: Don’t ‘over-react’ over bouncer laws
Former South Africa fast bowler Allan Donald has implored those who control the laws of the game to leave the bouncer alone, saying 'over-reacting' in the wake of Phillip Hughes' death would be an error.
Hughes passed away on Thursday after being struck on the back of the neck by a bouncer at the SCG, and the ball burst an artery in his neck, one of only 100 such cases ever recorded.
Donald, one of the Proteas' most fearsome bowlers, said a bouncer was not to blame, and that Hughes' accident was freakishly unlucky. He also said that helmets were safer than ever, especially considering the ball missed Hughes' helmet.
Donald said: "I hope it doesn't take this horrific incident to make the sport's bosses think that the only way to make the sport safe is to outlaw the bouncer. It would make for no contest if bouncers were ruled out of the game.
"As a fast bowler, you use your bouncer to intimidate, to send a message to the batsman, to make him think twice and to test various skills.
"I understand that many people outside of cricket will look at this and questions about safety will be asked, but we must not over-react. You see guys get struck flush on the helmet, and the worst they come away with is concussion.
"This is just stupidly freakish because Hughes was struck below the helmet, on the neck, in an area where the artery leads to the brain. It's heart-wrenching. He's so, so unlucky.
"The helmets they have these days are magnificent, I'm not really sure how they can make them any better."
Donald added his support to fast bowler Sean Abbott, the NSW paceman who bowled the bouncer, saying the youngster should take all the time out he needs, as well as get a lot of support.
Donald said: "He needs all the support that Cricket Australia can give him. He needs counseling because right now, he'll be thinking it's his fault and that is most certainly not the case.
"There needs to be careful thinking about the treatment he receives before he can get back out on the park, if he wants to get back out on the park."
Latest
-
EnglandJamie Overton happy to entertain on rollercoaster England Test debut
The pace bowler fell three runs short of a remarkable century at Headingley.
-
EnglandEngland have Headingley buzzing again as late burst rocks New Zealand
The tourists will resume on Sunday 137 runs ahead with five wickets down.
-
EnglandJamie Overton falls just short of debut century for England in tight third Test
Overton was caught behind for 97 in the morning session.
-
EnglandAzeem Rafiq attends third day of Headingley Test as guest of Yorkshire
Rafiq enjoyed Saturday’s action from a balcony at the Pavilion End
-
EnglandJamie Overton falls just short of debut Test century as England take narrow lead
Newcomer Overton was caught behind for 97.
-
EnglandGeorge Scrimshaw holds final-over nerves to guide Derbyshire past Lancashire
Scrimshaw successfully defended the 10 runs in the final over.
-
EnglandJonny Bairstow and England looking to ‘take the game forward’
Bairstow hit a run-a-ball hundred for the second Test in succession as England fought back spectacularly against New Zealand.
-
EnglandJonny Bairstow century leads thrilling England fightback at Headingley
The Yorkshireman made 130 not out and put on 209 with debutant Jamie Overton to rescue his side from 55 for six against New Zealand.
-
EnglandEngland top order left in tatters as New Zealand gain upper hand at Headingley
The hosts were 93 for six in reply to New Zealand’s 329 all out.
-
New ZealandDaryl Mitchell breaks record with another century against England
Mitchell broke Martin Donnelly’s New Zealand tally of 492 runs in a series in England, set back in 1949.