Travis Head's slog sweep hurts a boy during a BBL game

In the modern day cricket, fans gets to witness numerous power hitting strokes. The ball has never been hit as hard as it is being hit today. It has forced few of the umpires to also wear protective gears who are in danger of being hit by a Chris Gayle straight drive or an MS Dhoni pull shot. Is it time for the spectators to do the same?

In the recently concluded BBL game between the Thunders and the Strikers, the Strikers’ skipper Travis Head latched onto a delivery with a brutal slog sweep that went soaring into the stands. The ball flew into the stands where the spectators turned as fielders and tried to grab the ball. However, the ball whizzed past everyone and caught the unsuspecting six-year-old boy who probably had no idea as to what was happening around him. The mother attended the child immediately who seems to be out of any sort of danger.

“Young Charlie, a six-year-old who was cleaned up by that six we’ve just heard that he’s fine,” Gilchrist said on air. “He’s gone away and mum put a bit of ice on his injury and he’s ready to get back out here and watch the rest of the innings.” He added. The Strikers went on to win the game eventually by 53 runs. The Thunders failed to put on a fight and conceded the game quite easily.

Some positive news on young Charlie who copped a bit of a blow earlier in the innings #BBL07 pic.twitter.com/xk0fBvfDh0

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 22, 2017

Previous instances of Spectators being hurt by the Cricket ball

• David Miller’s monstrous six for the Kings XI Punjab at the Eden Gardens hurt a 53 year-old constable Alok Aich, who is believed to have lost his vision in his right eye after the incident.
• Two weeks earlier, Ellyse Perry had struck a ball that hit a boy at the Sydney Oval. Perry halted the game to check on the boy who was later taken to hospital and is reported to be fine following the nasty knock.
• DD’s batsman Jadhav had once smashed the ball towards deep extra-cover in an IPL match, with the ball clearing the boundary ropes with ease. It however, hit a cheerleader on the head, who was later seen being escorted by a colleague.

These instances show that even spectators need to be vigil during the game. An injury to a spectator is the last thing that fans want to witness in a cricket match.