Review into death of Phillip Hughes urges compulsory helmets for batsmen and use of substitutes
The report was compiled by barrister David Curtain, who says the new rules would not have saved the Australian’s life given where he was hit
Helmets should be compulsory for batsmen and fielders near the wicket, and substitutes considered for concussed players, a landmark review into the death of Australia’s Phillip Hughes said Wednesday.
I do not believe that the new helmet would have afforded additional protection against the blow given the location of where Phillip was struck
Hughes, who played 26 tests, died from bleeding on the brain in November 2014 after being hit on the base of the skull by a rising ball while batting in a domestic match in Sydney.
His death – a freak accident – stunned Australia and the world cricket community, sparking an outpouring of grief.
Cricket Australia ordered the independent review, which said the medical treatment the 25-year-old received was appropriate and timely.
At the time, Hughes was wearing a helmet that was not compliant with the more recent, and stringent, British Standard, which extends the grille protecting the face further to the rear of the helmet.
Barrister David Curtain, who conducted the review, said even if Hughes had been wearing the newer model, it would not have saved him.
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