Cricket‘s only similarity to baseball and softball, is that a bat (with a flat side) and ball are used to achieve “runs” (points) against the opposing team. It has complex rules, and each team has 11 players. The game has 2 main phases: one team bats while the other team fields and then this is reversed. The aim of the batting team is to score as many runs as possible and the goal of fielding team is to prevent the batting team from scoring runs. The field of play is a large elliptical grass field with a peripheral boundary. A flat rectangular strip of ground found roughly in the center of the field is called the pitch, and this has two sets of three vertical (usually) wooden stumps with 2 bails laid across them, called the wicket, one at each end of this rectangular pitch. Positioned behind the stump is a wicket keeper, who catches any loose ball and prevents the ball from traveling further as this may result in the batting team scoring more runs. A player, the bowler, on the fielding team throws the ball in a particular overhead pattern called bowling, from one wicket towards the other, and towards one of two batsmen at the two wickets. The ball may be bowled at a very fast speed by “fast bowler” or it may turn direction when it hits the ground by a “spin bowler”. A run is usually scored when the ball is hit by the batter, or the bowler bowls a loose ball, and the two players from the batting team runs and exchanging positions between the two wickets. The batmen cannot attempt to run without hitting the ball. The ball is about the size of an orange and is made from leather. A player is dismissed, “out”, if he hits the ball and it is caught by the fielding team or if the wicket is struck; whether by the bowled ball, or by his bat in error, or he if he is outside of his batting area, the ‘crease,’ during active play i.e. ball is not “dead.”
The bowler usually has to make a run up before he bowls the ball to the batsman and as a result he is at risk for muscular and tendon injuries, damaged Achilles tendon and lower limb stress fracture of the tibia, fibula or the feet. He may also develop back injuries, including back muscle strain and tears “pull muscle”, vertebral compression fracture , intervertebral disc damage as a result of his powerful run up and leg pounding on the hard pitch. The bowler’s technique is one in which his arm swings in a circular motion over his head while his elbow is kept straight resulting in repetitive shoulder movements at high speed making the shoulders prone to injuries including and not exclusive for rotator cuff and impingement injuries. The elbow is also at risk for developing medial epicondylitis (thrower’s elbow), an inflammation at the site of muscular attachment of the medial epicondyle of the humerus caused by pronatory action while throwing, as well as Ulnar Nerve injuries at the elbow.
The batsman, being in the line of the bowled ball, is a risk of being hit directly with the ball while batting. A blow from the cricket ball is probably the most common cause of injury in cricket. The leather ball is very hard, and when traveling at great speed, can do much damage. Injuries may include serious facial injuries/fractures (most common), fractured/dislocated fingers, elbow and wrist fractures, and bruising if protective equipment is not employed. For protection the batman may utilize pads on legs, batting gloves that are padded, elbow pads and a helmet.
The wicket keeper squats behind the wicket and ensures that all balls that pass the batsman is caught, especially if the ball edges the bat, in which instance is considered a catch from behind and the batsman is then dismissed. To prevent injuries from the incoming ball, the wicket keeper is adorned in protected equipment including a helmet, gloves and padding over his chest and legs. Because of the prolonged position of squatting, and the fact that a cricket game may last up to eight hours he is prone the knee and back injuries from prolonged sustained position.
The fielders, like the batsmen, are usually injured by a blow from the ball, in addition to having the risk for muscular or tendon injuries when they are chasing after the ball. The fielders, with the exception of the wicket keeper, do not use gloves for catching, as such, catching a ball that is coming towards you at great speed or one coming from a great height with your bare hands, if not done properly, may result in finger fracture/dislocation or minor hemorrhaging of small blood vessels in the hands. Some fielding positions are at more risk for more serious injuries and those would include areas closest to the batsman. Again protective equipment will reduce the severity of most injuries
All players are at risk for sun burn, which may not be seen as a direct sports injury but a cricket game may last for 5 days, 7 hours per day and the UV exposure adds up. As such sunscreen should be employed as a part of the protective equipment while playing cricket.
Paula U. A. Dawson MD
Dept Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Long Island Jewish Medical Center |
