Category Archives: technology and cricket

ABC News Item, 10 October 2016, with title “

Australian cricketer Tom Cooper has told an inquest into the death of Phillip Hughes there was a “noticeable” increase in short-pitched balls during the match.  

Key points:

• Cricketer Phillip Hughes died after a freak accident during a 2014 cricket match
• Batting partner Tom Cooper says Hughes was targeted by short-pitched balls but seemed relaxed
• Cooper and umpire Ash Barrow deny there was sledging from the NSW team

A coronial inquest in Sydney is looking into the manner and cause of the death of 25-year-old Hughes, who was struck on the neck by a cricket ball while batting for South Australia against New South Wales in a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG on November 25, 2014. Hughes died after the injury to his neck caused a haemorrhage: in his brain.

Forensic pathologist Professor Johan Duflou, who carried out the postmortem examination on Hughes, said an artery in his neck had been severed — an injury more commonly seen in single punch attacks. Neurosurgeon Professor Brian Owler told the inquest the force of the ball and the angle at which it struck contributed to the injury, along with the angle at which the cricketer had been holding his head. Continue reading →