Video warns of cricket danger

mas cambios

Active Member
Video warns of cricket danger

I'll post this as it's always useful to have a reminded of the dangers that can crop up in cricket, especially when using bowling machines or netting.

The video at the link shows David Fulton being hit in the eye by a 90mph delivery when facing a bowling machine in the nets in 2003. In the video, Fulton is seen practising playing the hook shot with a member of the Kent staff feeding the bowling machine.

But at one stage the machine is loaded a split-second too early and catches an unsighted Fulton flush in the face between the peak of the helmet and his grille.

So, have a look and remind yourself to take extra care and make sure that not only you're safe but that others around are too.

Download Fulton's video here from the PCA website (in .wmv format).
 
Re: Video warns of cricket danger

I've seen the video, pretty nasty injuries from it. Was a stupid mistake from the person loading the bowling machine, but Fulton shouldn't have been looking down at the ground and tapping his bat for that length of time. Pretty much ended his career, made him become a liability in the field, when he was once a fantastic slipper, and also made his batting worse. Those are the dangers you face though when you don't have the helmet set at the manufacturers reccomended level.
 
Re: Video warns of cricket danger

A bit harsh to blame Fulton, as I feel it was the person in charge of the bowling machine more than anything, should have waited until he was looking at him before dispatching the ball.

As for the helmet, a lot of people open the grill up in order to get better vision but the risk of the ball slipping through is always there. The idea is that the natural backward jerk (reaction) of the head should stop it happening but it's not foolproof, especially when you're not expecting it. I would also guess that using a bowling machine ball contributed to it as well.
 
Re: Video warns of cricket danger

well we have all seen the Kiwi take it straight in the grill last week! it just shows that eve with a Lid on it can still cause damage!
 
Re: Video warns of cricket danger

yeah looks quite bad

bowling has its risks at nets as well a member of our team got hit just on the cheek just below the eye waiting to bowl at nets by a shot someone middled(one of those that go flat at head height for 6) you just have to hope it doesn't happen to you and try and be careful
 
Re: Video warns of cricket danger

you should never turn your back from the nets! having said that i almost broke my mate knee cap in half a few weeks back. i middled one straight back to him, he had no time to react and that ball was really travelling!
 
Re: Video warns of cricket danger

Ouch!

At the nets with the bowling machine that I go to there is a movable net that you place against one net wall, and it dips down to let the bowling machine through, like this:

_____
| |
| |______
| |
| |
|__________|

The guy feeding the machine stands behind the net on the left in that picture. The bowling machine is planted so that the top bit where the ball comes out goes over the top of the smaller part of the net, on the right in that picture. There is also a small gap between the edge on the smaller side and the edge of the actual net, so you can get through. I would think that would stop injuries like the one you just posted!
 
Re: Video warns of cricket danger

Poor bloke. Looked like a terrible hit.
Once when I was batting against a bowling machine a ball was left on the pitch. Next ball that was sent down and hit it perfectly. The ball shot up and nearly took my head. I think I was batting agaisnt 60-70 mph. It certainly got me watching the ball after that!
 
Re: Video warns of cricket danger

Jonesy said:
Ouch!

At the nets with the bowling machine that I go to there is a movable net that you place against one net wall, and it dips down to let the bowling machine through, like this:

_____
| |
| |______
| |
| |
|__________|

The guy feeding the machine stands behind the net on the left in that picture. The bowling machine is planted so that the top bit where the ball comes out goes over the top of the smaller part of the net, on the right in that picture. There is also a small gap between the edge on the smaller side and the edge of the actual net, so you can get through. I would think that would stop injuries like the one you just posted!

That is becoming more common, especially after (iirc) 2 school masters in the UK died after being hit in the head whilst feeding bowling machines. They had no chance to react, especially being elevated.
 
Re: Video warns of cricket danger

so unfortunate though, if he hadn't started looking up toward the machine it would have probably missed or flicked the top of his helmet. On the other hand it was probably only delivered because it looked as if he was going to look up. Not his fault though just one of those things.
 
Re: Video warns of cricket danger

i don't like bowling machines. We have our own at the club and went down with a training coach to have a go. We were all batting for 30 balls each from the machine slowly increasing with speed. On about my 25th-ish go a ball i had hit had stopped just outside of and i didnt want the next ball to hit it, so i kicked it off but as i was turning to go back into my stance the coach thought i wasready and rattled me arse at 72mph. Couldn't sit down for ages and proper pimple bowling machine balls hurt more. :cursing:
 
Re: Video warns of cricket danger

Thanks MC for the video.
That was a nasty hit.
The person operating the machine is at fault.
Before bowling he has to held his hand high-to indicate of the Ball to be bowled.
 
Back
Top