tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5581050.post2866253811538182390..comments2024-03-21T05:10:57.134+00:00Comments on Mustard Seed Shavings: RIP Phil Hughes and some thoughts on his passingSteve Tilleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400505989949096631noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5581050.post-26664608956058391032014-12-01T11:49:59.344+00:002014-12-01T11:49:59.344+00:00Helmets have undoubtedly made cricket a safer game...Helmets have undoubtedly made cricket a safer game. However, one of the great skills of batting used to be the avoidance of bouncers,enhanced by the instinct for self preservation- for English batsmen, particularly in the 1974-75 Ashes tour when Lillee and Thomson were at their fastest (although, it has to be said, Tony Grieg bowled the first bouncer at them!). In the Centenary Test of 1977 at the MCG, Derek Randall ducked and weaved away from Dennis Lillee's bouncers on his way to 174 in a heroic innings. Rick McCosker was slightly less skillful and returned to batting with a broken jaw. Batting coaches today must encourage the skill of bouncer avoidance while simultaneously keeping eyes on the ball.David Bealesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5581050.post-53031484821700751402014-11-29T14:53:00.175+00:002014-11-29T14:53:00.175+00:00"I wonder if the bowler will be wanting to tr..."I wonder if the bowler will be wanting to try and kill again though? Because if that's not what he's trying to do, why aim at the head?"<br /><br />To tempt him to hook? To intimidate him? To bowl to a particular field placing? To bowl a dot ball? He didn't hit him on the head anyway. I don't know any sport that involves intending to kill people. Although there is always the chance of dying of boredom if you watch the 6 nations rugby...Rich Rnoreply@blogger.com