Basic HTML Version
16
| TOUCHLINE
MAGAZINE.COM
FEATURE -
CRICKET
P
hillip Hughes tragic death on
27 November 2014 shocked
the cricketing world. One
of the sports most talented and
likeable stars was lost when he
was struck on the neck by a short
pitched delivery in a Sheffield
Shield match at the Sydney Cricket
Ground.
Amongst the grief, questions
abounded as to how such a fatal
injury could occur, with modern
rules and safety equipment.
The media quickly latched onto
murmurings of unsportsmanlike
conduct, ugly sledging and
deliberately dangerous bowling,
throwing the Hughes family and
all involved with the match into
the spotlight. Many were quick
to suggest blame on a number of
fronts.
Thankfully, all of the evidence
was gathered and considered
impartially, applying principles of
natural justice, in a coronial inquest
last October. The coronial findings
are a welcome voice of balance and
clarity on what truly happened on
that fateful day and what lessons
can be learned from the tragedy.
THE INJURY
In his finding of 4 November
2016, NSW State Coroner Michael
Barnes concluded that Phillip
Hughes died as a result of a
traumatic basal subarachnoid
haemorrhage. The cricket ball
found its way through the narrow
gap between the shoulder and
helmet grill to strike Hughes just
under the left ear. The impact
fractured the first cervical vertebra
and dissected the vertebral artery.
Due to the nature of this very rare
and incompletely understood
injury, Phillip Hughes’ death was
essentially inevitable from the
moment he was struck.
The following matters were
brought to the Coroner’s attention
to be considered as part of the
inquest:
•
Dangerous play;
•
Adequacy of safety equipment;
•
Emergency planning and response.
ALLEGATIONS OF SLEDGING
The Hughes family, and other
witnesses, were concerned that
threats of violence may have been
made to Phillip and his batting
partner during the course of the
days’ play. The inquest had cause
to examine the widespread practice
of sledging in competitive cricket.
The Coroner noted that
throughout its long history, fair play
has been paramount in cricket,
so much so that in the vernacular
Danielle Davis, Lawyer, Hall andWilcox
CRICKET
LESSONS LEARNED FROM A TRAGEDY
THE PHILLIP HUGHES CORONIAL INQUEST FINDINGS