Hughes' death is a talking point on Lucknow's pitches

Following Phil Hughes' death, LT spoke to cricket players and coaches to see how seriously safety rules are implemented while playing cricket in the city.
Though scare tactics and aggro are essential, young players assert that injuries are unavoidable, and it is the lessons you learn that matter Now, David, are you going to get out or am I going to have to come round the wicket and kill you?" When West Indian fast bowler Malcolm Marshall famously said these words to Australian batsman David Boon, he would have certainly not meant it.
Years later, seamer Sean Abbott seems inconsolable for ending up doing exactly that. Though the ball delivered by Abbott could have swung anywhere, on that fateful day, it was destined to hit Phillip Hughes and eventually claim his life. His death stunned the cricketing world and sparked a frenzied debate on how to make helmets even safer and whether or not bouncers should be banned.
While those angles are examined to the minutest detail at the international level, how safely is the game played in the country where it enjoys its God-like status? From gully and society cricket to the school and college tournament, the passion and aggression remain the same, while rule enforcers lack the hawk-eyed observation of professional cricket and when the safety gear available is far from what the pros where.
What happens when the batsman's teenaged swagger convinces him that 'helmets are for wimps', or when a spin bowler decides to teach that swag a 'lesson'? We see how safely the gentlemen's game is played in the city.
AN UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT
Ashok Bambi, who played for the UP Ranji team from 1975 to 1986, and has coached youngsters at the state and national level, is one of the many who believes that the accident was unfortunate, but one can't blame anyone. "What happened with Phil was a rarest of rare case. There is nobody to blame here.He had turned and his helmet must have shifted, which caused the ball to hit at the wrong spot. I myself have seen Vijay Telang, who was opening for Vidharbha in a practise match against Pakistan in Nagpur, being hit on the head by an Imran Khan bouncer. He wasn't wearing a helmet, and the ball, instead of injuring him, went for a six.
Dilip Vengsarkar's plastic helmet too cracked once, after which he started wearing one of a better quality ," says Bambi, adding, "But that doesn't mean that you can lie low and let the safety measures go for a toss.Never have I let my youngsters play without a helmet. It has become a vital part of their cricketing gear and 99% of the youngsters wear it.Chest guards, thigh pads all this new age safety gear available today is of very good quality, but then, what can you say about accidents like this one?"
Agrees Aviral Jain, a 24-year-old cricketer, who plays regular club cricket. "If we talk about freak accidents, not only the players but anyone can get hurt. Just last week there was an incident in Israel when an umpire got hit by the ball, which bounced off the stumps, and died. Chris Gayle's six in the IPL gave a nose fracture to a spectator," he says.
TAKE BACK A LESSON
While some believe that Phil's accident was destiny's ugly play , others think there always is a lesson to learn in every accident that takes place on the pitch. "Injuries come and go, and we as professional players have to accept that. All players suffer some injury or the other, but we learn from them for our own good and take the necessary precautions when we take to the field the next time. Even I've gotten hit on the head on a few occasions, but have come back with lessons well learnt. No player who is passionate about the game will rethink about playing cricket just because of an injury scare," says Ansh Shukla, a 25-year old cricketer who has played for the U-19 and U-22 UP teams, and now plays club cricket.
He adds, "Some injuries can be very unfortunate which can end your career. Like the one Saba Karim suffered when he got hit in the eye, or even Nari Contractor, who was hit on the head. These incidents scare players like us mentally , but all you can do is take back a lesson."
Ravindra Verma, an 18-year old cricketer who plays for the district level, is one who has learnt his lessons. "I used to wear helmets selectively , only while opening or when facing medium pacers. But ever since the Phil Hughes' incident happened, not only me but a lot of players that I practise with have started wearing helmets, whether facing spinners or fast bowlers. We're now more particular about the safety gear and shot selection," says Ravindra.
Kamaldeep Tripathi, a regular in the corporate cricket leagues' circuit, agrees. "I'm an aggressive batsman who would never wear helmets. Uncomfortable toh hota hi hai, lekin thoda tashan bhi aata tha.But ever since the Phil Hughes' incident, I've started wearing helmets regularly ," he says.
SAFETY MEASURES MUST BE ENFORCED
Not only Kamaldeep, but coaches too feel that certain safety measuers must be made compulsory for cricketers at all levels. "Not only helmets, but there are plenty of other things that must be strictly enforced and implemented on the cricket field.Proper attention must be paid to the wicket that is being prepared. It should be checked for the bounce and pace it carries. Batsmen should be taught the proper techniques to hook and pull the ball. They should know what shot to play and what to dodge," says Alok Verma, ex coach at LDA Cricket Stadium, who now trains youngsters at a private cricket stadium in the city.
A SIMILAR INCIDENT
While Phil's death has become a talking point now, a similar incident on the cricket field seven years ago caused a permanent change of rules in school cricket in Lucknow. A Class VI student of a prominent boys' college of the city had died after being hit in the chest by a bouncer. "Cricket used to be played on rubber mats back then, which gives extra bounce to the ball. The ball hit the boy's chest and he collapsed. Since then, rubber mats were banned by the school and pitches were optimised for the matches," informs a student of the school, on condition of anonymity.