Cricket Safety

When playing cricket, taking some precautionary measures may well be the difference between a scratch and a serious injury. Whether you are batting, bowling, fielding or keeping wicket, you should always be prepared with the appropriate safety equipment, such as batting pads, gloves and a helmet. A cricket ball is very hard and travels very fast, and most injuries sustained are caused by the ball hitting a body part awkwardly. Nevertheless, cricket can be a relatively safe sport for adults and children alike if appropriate safety measures are followed.

  1. Common Injuries

    • Finger injuries are common in cricket. Players pick up finger injuries most often when they are fielding; this happens when the ball bounces unevenly and either rises too high or not enough. Because it did not bounce as anticipated, the ball may then hit the fielder on his fingers and injure him. Batsmen and bowlers typically suffer from fractures, sprains and bruises caused by the ball hitting a body part. A bowler also may pick up an injury to the shoulder muscles and the lower back if he bowls long spells.

    Bowling

    • A cricket match can last for several hours. To prepare your body before a game, work your muscles by stretching and performing a mild warm-up; a 10-minute routine is ideal. Bowlers are the most susceptible to muscle injuries because they exert their arms and legs each time they make a delivery; even within a game, if you have not been bowling for a long time you should stretch before the spell to minimize your chances of getting a strain from overexertion. The fielding team captain should not use younger bowlers for extended spells, as it can lead to injuries.

    Batting

    • When batting, you should always wear a helmet with a face guard, regardless of whether you are on the practice pitch or batting in a real game. Remember to adjust the grill of the face guard so that it is small enough to stop the ball's motion. When you are facing a pacer (fast bowler), always wear appropriate batting equipment such as gloves, body and leg pads, forearm guards and an abdominal guard.

    Keeping Wicket and Fielding

    • When you are keeping wicket or fielding close to the batsman, you should always wear a helmet, shin guards and abdominal guard. If you are facing the sun, wear a hat or sports sunglasses to reduce glare. Wear comfortable shoes that do not put pressure on your toes or squeeze from the sides. If you are keeping wicket, rise from your slouched position after every delivery, because otherwise you might get muscle cramps.

    On-Field Safety

    • Hydrate your body throughout the day's play by having plenty of water. If conditions are hot, your body can lose up to 3 liters of water in an hour. When you are fielding, check the field for sharp objects and hazards around you, removing them before start of play. Have a first-aid kit with you in case of on-field injuries. If you injure yourself in the game, leave the field immediately, and only return when you have been properly treated.