‘I’m not dead!’ Bowler feared to have been killed after being hit by 120mph cricket ball comes round in hospital – and is looking forward to playing again
- The batsman played a hard straight drive which smashed into the bowler’s head
- A dramatic video emerged today showing the bowler instantly drop to ground
- The wicketkeeper and other team mates rushed to his side and feared he died
- He had just been knocked unconscious and his right earlobe had taken the blow
A cricketer had a lucky escape after he was smashed on the head by a 120mph ball and miraculously survived – despite rumours he had died on the spot.
The batsman played a straight drive which smashed into the bowler’s head and a dramatic video shows him instantly drop to the ground.
The wicketkeeper and other team mates rushed to his side and many worried he had died.
But he had just been knocked unconscious and his right earlobe had taken the brunt of the blow.
He was rushed from the local match at VVIP Cricket Academy in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, to a nearby hospital.
He regained his consciousness midway through the doctor’s observation, after the smash on April 3.
But with rumours of his death circulating, he released a video message to say he was very much alive.
The unnamed sportsman said: ‘I am not dead, I am alive.
‘The rumours were doing rounds that I died on the spot which is untrue, however, I was unconscious for the time being.
‘I am feeling alright except for a bit of dizziness and headache.
‘I am a cricketer and I am hopeful that it will go away soon. I am set to undergo a CT scan. Rest, all is fine.’
It is thought the man might have suffered some damage to his hearing
But a local doctor added: ‘He should consider himself lucky that he had survived the scare.’
A cricket player was hit in the head after a batsman hit his head with a ball during a match in India
In November 2014, Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes was killed when he was struck on the neck by a ball.
Hughes, 25, was hit by a bouncer while batting in a Sheffield Shield match for South Australia in Sydney, and later died in hospital as a result of his injuries.
The subsequent investigation made a number of recommendations, some of which had already been implemented, in order to improve the safety of players on the field.
Close-fielders and wicketkeepers standing up at the stumps were advised to wear protective head-gear as a matter of course, although this does not apply to players in the slips.
The report also stated players and coaching staff should wear helmets at all times when practising in the nets against fast bowlers or bowling machines.
It also said a defibrillator should be available at all first-class matches in case medical staff need to deal with cardiac incidents.
In November 2014, Australian batsman Phillip Hughes was killed when he was struck on the neck by a ball. Here he celebrates scoring a century for his country in a 2009 Test match in South Africa