THE DANGERS OF THE SHORT BALL: THE WORST CRICKETING INJURIES

RICK MCCOSKER, Australia v England, 1977

McCosker had his jaw broken by a Bob Willis bouncer on the first morning of the Centenary Test at the MCG.

He spent a day and a half in hospital getting his jaw wired before returning to the ground to bat in Australia’s second innings.

EWEN CHATFIELD, New Zealand v England, 1975

Chatfield was nearly killed after he was struck in the temple by a short-pitched delivery from English paceman Peter Lever.

Chatfield was not wearing a helmet and he stopped breathing after swallowing his tongue. His life was saved by English physio Bernard Thomas, who performed CPR.

BILL WOODFULL, Australia v England, 1933

Woodfull was struck in the heart by a ball delivered by Harold Larwood during at the Adelaide Oval during the Bodyline series.

He was later visited in the dressing rooms by England team manager Pelham Warner, who wanted to express his remorse. Woodfull famously quipped: “I don’t want to see you, Mr Warner. There are two teams out there. One is trying to play cricket and the other is not.”

RICK DARLING, Australia v England, 1979

English players and umpires saved Darling’s life after he was struck in the heart by a rising delivery by Bob Willis and collapsed on the pitch during the Adelaide Test.

Darling’s chewing gum became lodged in his throat and he nearly choked to death.

MARK VERMEULEN, Zimbabwe v India, 2004

Zimbabwe’s Vermeulen suffered a depressed skull when he top-edged a bouncer from Irfan Pathan during a tri-series match in Brisbane and underwent reconstructive surgery.

In 2006, he was arrested for setting fire to the Zimbabwe Cricket headquarters after he was seen fleeing the scene. He was charged with arson but cleared on grounds of mental illness.

PHIL SIMMONS, West Indies v Gloucestershire, 1988

Simmons was not wearing a helmet when he was struck in the head by a David Lawrence ball during a tour match and underwent emergency brain surgery

He returned to cricket in a charity match four months later and resumed his international career the following year.

NARI CONTRACTOR, India v Barbados, 1962

Contractor’s career was cut short after he was hit in the back of the head by a Charlie Griffith short delivery.

Contractor was unconscious for six days and underwent several operations to save his life

He resumed his playing but could not get back to his best and did not play another Test.