Australian cricket legend Kim Hughes has called for safety helmets to be banned for junior players, sparking outrage from concerned parents and lovers of the sport.
Hughes, who captained Australia in 28 Tests, made the controversial comment while commentating for an interstate match at the WACA ground in Perth on Thursday.
‘If I was coaching youngsters today I’d coach them without helmets because it teaches you the correct footwork,’ he said, according to 9 News.
Australian cricket legend Kim Hughes has today called for safety helmets to be banned from junior cricket
Hughes took a blow to the back of his head in 2014 and never recovered from the devastating injury
‘It gives them a false sense of security, they just lunge forward. And I know you can’t but…they think they’re safe but they’re not.
‘There’s more blokes hit now with helmets than there ever used to be.’
Hughes’ divisive comments came just days after Australian cricketer Cameron White was struck by a ball during the first JLT Cup match in Townsville.
As he collapsed on the pitch after being hit, commentators speculated whether or not White had been hit in the head, but it was later revealed the ball hit his shoulder.
Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes tragically died four years ago after he was hit in the bead with a ball, just three days before his 26th birthday.
Hughes was struck in the back of the head by a ball delivered by bowler Sean Abbott in 2014, and he never recovered from the devastating head injury.
Phillip Hughes (pictured) died after being struck in the back of the head by a ball delivered by bowler Sean Abbott in 2014
Phillip Hughes tragically died just three days before his 26th birthday
After collapsing on the pitch, Hughes was rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital and was placed in an induced coma but tragically died 48 hours later.
The recent comments from cricket legend Kim Hughes has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some calling his remarks ‘insane’ and ‘irresponsible’.
Others, however, agreed with Hughes, saying his comments were ‘spot on’.
The recent comments from cricket legend Kim Hughes has sparked mixed reactions on social media
Some called Hughes’ comments ‘insane’ and ‘irresponsible’
Others, however, agreed with Hughes, saying his comments were ‘spot on’