Helmets should've improved the technique of play

The bouncer, instead it seem players Just ignore learning to face it. It will hit on the neck one day and kill a player

In reply to Brerzerk
You forgot Phillip Hughes? RIP.

In reply to voiceofreason

Irony is he could play the bouncer, think he just mis- judged the line. Remember Perth'76 Kalli missed one from Lillee which top-edged into his nose breaking it. After he retired hurt he came back out and pummeled them. In between that Lloyd took a fearful blow from Thommo but still plundered a ton full of hooks and pulls. Difference is these guys today can neither evade, hook nor pull

In reply to Brerzerk


they think they're invincible. which is why when a truly aggressive bowler comes around, all hell does break loose and the boys are separated from the men. only three batsmen across three series were able to face him without flinching: stokes, de villears and kohli, who was fortunate to face johnson a few days after Hughes' funeral but i have no doubt he would succeeded with johnson in full beast mode. but batsmen who were regarded as good or very good crumbled under his assault. graeme smith looked so awful, trott retired two tests in to the 5 match series with suddenly arisen mental health issues. Graeme Swann followed a test later

In reply to Brerzerk

So very,very true, you just have to look at how some batsmen behave when a bowler let go a short one at them.In my youth I was always back and accross,I always wonder why many batsmen don't do it instead of behaving like they were never told how to play short pitched bowling.I also found it better when i opened my stance for bowlers coming around the wicket.

In reply to granite

I have never batted in a helmet so I always thought that it should make one less fearful

In reply to granite


fundamentals that players just don't seem to have anymore.

In reply to Brerzerk

Colin Croft and Andy Roberts on Helmets at Lord's Tavern

In reply to Jumpstart

Nice, thanks I don't understand how guys nowadays believe they can 'play' a delivery without looking at it! Leaving alone, ducking, swaying are all 'playing' a delivery, keep your damned eye on the ball up to the last moment of evasive action.

In reply to Brerzerk


I don’t recall that.

I recall the only pummelling that happened by a West Indian in that test was Roy Fredericks’ 169

In reply to Brerzerk




.
Before 90s....... Cricket matches specially test was played in under prepared pitched, scant overnight covering, players facing Lillie, Thompson,Haddlee,Imran,all tall fast bowlers from West Indies.....We had Gavaskar, Boycott,Gooch,Border,Miandad,West Indies batters...many averaging 40&50

After 90....
Rules related to Bouncer changed drastically, no bouncer in ODI above head, two bouncers in an over...

With improvement in protection gears & limited bouncers....players from 90 onwards, were basically coached not to hook or pull frequently, play safe...in these ere Lara, Hayden, Inzamam, Tendulkar did posper...but they started in 80's..had learn basic about playing bouncer....

With the start of 2000, bowlers bowling bouncers became very limited, batters rather hooking or pulling...played safe... duck & evade...

By 2010....All players of 90's retired, T20 became popular and so the art of playing hook and pull lost...

It's not only Helmet..... it's rules and regulations...as well as T20....

In reply to Onionman0

Excellent post. Honestly I’m surprised more players haven’t been seriously hurt. I was telling somebody that in the aftermath of Hughes’ death, CA had an inquest into the situation and if organizational adjustments could have prevented or would prevent another such tragedy. Ian Chappell asked the then CA CEO, James Sutherland whether a review of techniques would form part of the inquest, and was flabbergasted when he was told no. Techniques have become worse since then and more players get hit: Steve smith knocked out cold by Jofra Archer, Will Pucovski’s 13 concussions etc