Hughes played with 'old helmet'

27 November 2014 - 02:39 By Reuters, © The Daily Telegraph
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
HEADGEAR: A graphic released by Masuri shows the difference between its old and new models Photo
HEADGEAR: A graphic released by Masuri shows the difference between its old and new models Photo
Image: PA

Australia cricketer Phil Hughes is fighting for his life as family and friends keep a vigil at his hospital bedside.

Hughes remains in an induced coma after undergoing emergency surgery on Tuesday, when he was struck on the head by a bouncer, a devastating blow that experts likened to the trauma experienced by car crash victims.

The 25-year-old underwent further scans yesterday morning, but Sydney's St Vincent's hospital did not disclose the results.

"Phillip's condition is unchanged and he remains critical," the Australian cricket team doctor Peter Brukner said.

"If there are any further developments we will let you know immediately."

Hughes's helmet manufacturer, Masuri, are seeking video footage of the moment he was struck on the back of the head by a delivery from New South Wales paceman Sean Abbott to establish how the Australia lefthander suffered such serious injuries.

Hughes was wearing a Masuri Original Test model helmet, which does not protect the back of a batsman's head, a particularly vulnerable area.

But Masuri have now developed a new model - the Vision Series - which does protect the back of the head while still allowing the batsman comfortable movement.

A Masuri spokesman declined to comment on whether Hughes might have escaped serious injury if he had been wearing a Vision Series helmet, but confirmed that the company would be studying footage of the incident.

"Following the injury to Phil Hughes, Masuri is actively seeking as much TV and video footage of the incident as possible to be able to see more conclusively exactly where the player was hit," said Masuri.

"From the footage and pictures currently available to Masuri, it appears that Phil Hughes was struck by the ball to the rear of the grille and below the back of the shell, missing his Masuri Original Test model helmet.

"This is a vulnerable area of the head and neck that helmets cannot fully protect while enabling batsmen to have full and proper movement.

"The newly developed Masuri Vision Series helmet, which supersedes the 2013 helmet worn by Phil Hughes, does afford batsmen extra protection in this region - and still allows comfortable movement," the manufacturer said.

Peter Larkins, one of Australia's leading sports physicians, said people who suffered serious injuries could remain comatose for days but could also make full recoveries.

"While it's an extraordinary injury in cricket, such head trauma injuries are seen in high-speed car crashes all the time and there are some miracle stories of full recoveries," Larkins said.

The world's cricketing community remains in a state of shock, with players from around the world sending their get-well-soon wishes to Hughes.

Members of the Australian national team, including the captain Michael Clarke, spent hours at his hospital bed, comforting the stricken player's mother and sister.

As a sign of respect, Cricket Australia called off the entire round of matches in the country's domestic first-class competition.

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now