Phil Hughes Tragedy: Will Cricket Be The Same Without The Bouncer?

International cricket is in jeopardy with the death of Aussie cricketer Phillip Hughes.

The Australia Test batsman was struck on the head by a ball which was believed to be a bouncer after succumbing to a serious head injury.

The 25-year-old passed away after he was hit in the back-left side of the head while batting for South Australia against New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

Since then, the whole cricketing fraternity is in mourning and the 1st Test between India and Australia has been delayed as well.

With the safety reasons now a concern in cricket, the question is raised that, is cricket a safe sport? English skipper Alistair Cook gave his side of the verdict about the safety reasons. He said: “It hasn’t been a safer game ever than it is now. We’ve got to keep on playing cricket the same way. The safety provisions over the last few years have gone through the roof. Bouncers can’t be outlawed.”

Thus, here’s a note to the ICC. Let cricket as it is for the below 5 reasons noting YOU why:

1 – The ‘X-factor’ diminishes
If the ICC and the rest of the cricket loyalists are to bend the rules of cricket pertaining to the Phil Hughes tragedy, that may kill of the ‘x-factor’. The sledging, drama, banters etc might just go ‘off air’ and cricket will become the boring, boring sport.

 

2 – Batsmen’s advantage
The flat tracks, powerplays and fielding restrictions; what else can the batsman have to rule this sport? Make it a two-sided affair as well. If the rules change, it’s another walk in the park for the batsmen around the world and land a killer blow to the bowlers.

 

3 – Bouncers are mandatory
Barring the Phil Hughes tragic moment, there have many other instances in the past where cricketers have been bruised and battered by the short ball. But in no way, the ‘bouncer’ is meant to hurt or kill off the opposition batsman. Surely Sean Abbot had no intent nor did the former know his delivery will land the southpaw on the deathbed.

 

4 – Make 2 bouncers per inning
If the analysts or pundits are calling for an end to bouncers, why not make a tweak in the rule. The administrators (ICC) should allow 2 bouncers per inning or any such rule to give the sport its rightful meaning at least!

 

5 – Cricket is for the fans
Besides the two teams playing on the field, the former should also realise that the fans also play an integral part in this game. If the bouncer gets barred, maybe we will lose that ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from the crowds during a Mitchell Johnson or a Dale Steyn delivery.