Spectators at a first-grade cricket match on Saturday looked on in shock as batsman Daniel Hughes was knocked unconscious by a bouncer, two months after his former teammate Phillip Hughes was killed in eerily similar circumstances.
The 25-year-old namesake, who is not related to Phillip, was batting for Northern District against Blacktown on Saturday when he attempted a hook shot off a bouncer from bowler Cameron Nupier. However, the delivery hit him just below the ear, striking him underneath his cricket helmet.
Concerned teammates at Mark Taylor Oval reportedly rushed to his aid, before Hughes was taken to Hornsby Hospital. Northern District coach Paul Byrom said it was a shock for everyone. "I heard from him late last night. He still felt pretty rough, which is to be expected," he said.
"I haven't heard from him this morning. Hopefully he got himself a good night's sleep."
Sunday marks exactly two months since former Test batsman Phillip Hughes was killed when a short-pitched delivery struck his head during a Sheffield Shield match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
While there was an uncanny similiarity between the circumstances in which both batsmen were hit, Byrom said he does not think there needs to be a review of the design of current helmets. "Do we simply get to a point where batters go out in a full suit of armour?" he said.
"Unfortunately in sport there are always going to be accidents. It doesn't matter what sport we play, there are going to be accidents. Probably we've got to look now at other ways to protect the head, as we are finding out more information on how serious these injuries can be."
Hughes was set to play in the NSW Futures League team in their four-day match against Western Australia, starting at Blacktown International Sportspark on Monday. However, Cricket NSW has said he will not be ready to play.
"He's resting, It's a bit soon after the concussion he received," said Cricket NSW state talent manager David Freedman. "We'll just monitor him throughout the week and hopefully he'll be available for comp cricket next week."
As for when the batsman would be ready to return, Byrom said it will depend on Hughes. "He'll know himself when he's feeling well enough," he said.
Former Test paceman Nathan Bracken, who is suing Cricket Australia, over what he claims was the mismanagement of his injuries during his playing career, took to Twitter to write: "This is why Cricket Australia needs to have an injury insurance protection scheme like every other workplace".
