Health and Safety tips for cricket players

A hardball being bowled at high speeds with a batsman returning the favor with greater velocity is always going to present an element of danger. There is a good reason why a wicket-keeper looks more like they're about to defend the goalmouth in an ice hockey match.

The more frequent types of injury suffered while playing can be elbows and lower arm (for batsman), fractures/bruising if hit by a ball, lower back and lower limbs (for bowlers), and strains and sprains from repetitive motions and excess use. Most conventional, as you would imagine, is an injury to fingers or the face. With exposure to such injuries associated with playing the match, you must take the required precautions to make the match as safe as possible.

Here's the list of our top five safety tips to reduce the chances of injury.

1. Make sure players warm-up 

Cricket tournaments can often be played for long durations, so players must be fit and well prepared. All players should stretch and warm-up for at least 10 minutes before a game of training. Bowlers should also repeat a warm-up exercise before their spell of bowling. The warm down is equally as crucial after any training session or match to help recover from the stresses and strains the body has been put under. This would involve gentle stretching and jog, along with the movement of all the large muscles.

2. Ensure players are coached to use the appropriate techniques

Players must know the proper techniques for bowling, catching, and batting. For example, the right sliding stop technique when preventing the ball from the boundary. Bowlers shouldn't be overused, and particular attention should be made to their age and also physical abilities. You should fix the number of overs a bowler completes in a tournament, particularly fast bowlers who will be putting their muscles under additional strain.

3. Use protective equipment

Team players should be aware of how to use types of equipment safely and correctly. All players should wear a mouth guard at all times and wear comfortable shoes designed for cricket. Protective equipment should always be worn by wicket-keepers and batsmen while playing and including training.

Such equipment is consisting of a helmet with body padding, forearm pads, leg pads, gloves, faceguards, and an abdominal protector. A helmet and face-guard should also be considered when fielding in close. The faceguard should be adjusted appropriately to ensure the ball cannot fit between the guard and the peak of the helmet.

4. Maintain a safe playing environment

While players themselves can be provided with suitable protective equipment, and it is equally important to ensure you inspect a playing surface before a match or training. You should remove any substance such as objects, stones, or anything that can cause injury.

The playing surface should be clean and smooth. Remove water from the pitch where possible. Be sure that any practice netting is strong enough to stop cricket balls and is inspected regularly for any damage.

Also, many matches of cricket, especially in the summer season, can expose players to challenging conditions. It is essential to ensure all players are hydrated and also protected from the elements with sunglasses, appropriate sunscreen, and caps. Maintain intake of fluids regularly throughout the whole day and provide adequate breaks in play in warm conditions. The game should be avoided and rescheduled in extreme weather conditions, wet or hot.

5. Make sure you have an emergency kit in place

It is essential to be prepared in the event of an injury, and ice packs, qualified first aid personnel, first aid kits, etc. are available at all times. Also, it is advisable to make sure coaches, players, and learners are aware of the symptoms of heat-related illness.

Players who are bleeding should be removed from the field immediately and get prompt attention from qualified first aid personnel. Ensure phone access is available at all times to the emergency services in the event of a severe injury or incident. Get more info - Football Api