Alviro Patterson wrote:Needless to say a tragic incident, I hope those affected can get through this.
Like cricketfan90 I don't wear a helmet. No need to at village level cricket where short bowling rarely exists and bowling speeds don't get much higher than 60-65mph. Might get the odd delivery that pops up off a length, but the key is to not play shots early and keep your eye on the ball.
Clearly never played against any county prospects who see every game as a chance to shine in front of a scout, AP. I faced a 18/19 year old Lewis Hatchett at East Grinstead a few years back, and he was cranking it up quick enough for me to be worried full padded and helmeted up. I was more a bowler, no batsman at all, and I would struggle to get bat on ball at that pace, let alone duck or casually move out the way. Personally I think it stupid not to wear a helmet, as taking a hit at 65 mph would still be painful and may require a stitch or a replacement tooth.... I think people who feel they don't need one are very arrogant, if you think you are too good to be hit by a ball that spits out of nowhere, then you shouldn't be playing at such a low level.
And before the pitches quieten down, dry and flatten as the summer goes on, those games in April when the ball is around your ears after bouncing short of a length, you have to be a good batsman to avoid wearing a few.