Black Caps captain Kane Williamson gets out of the way of a short ball. Photo / Getty Images
Black Caps captain Kane Williamson gets out of the way of a short ball. Photo / Getty Images
Auckland Cricket is a step ahead of the sport's law-makers in banning bouncers from some grades.
The MCC, the guardians of the sport's laws, have embarked on a consultation process to review the use of short-pitched deliveries because of player safety issues, which have gathered momentum since the death ofAustralian batsman Phillip Hughes, who was hit on the back of the head in a test at the SCG in 2014.
And there are concerns the adolescent brain must be protected at all costs while it's growing.
"When we say it's not allowed, it's a no ball. Anything that bounces and is over shoulder height is automatically deemed a no ball." Auckland Cricket's community manager Dean Bartlett told the Weekend Herald.
Auckland Cricket first introduced the bouncer rule three years ago, having already implemented New Zealand Cricket's Age and Stage programme.
"That's until you get into what we call 'performance grades'. So, district under-17s, under-19s — the teams we select Auckland sides from — and men's grade cricket it's allowed. But all the one-day grades — no bouncers. T20s senior grades, no bouncers. Women's cricket apart from premier, no bouncers."
Australian batsman Phil Hughes was struck by a bouncer and killed in a test at the SCG in 2014. Photo / Getty Images
As is the case with a lot of New Zealand sporting bodies, headed by Sport NZ, enjoyment and participation is a big focus, particularly for youngsters.
"Our founding objective or principle is to provide a safe, inclusive and enjoyable environment for all. Therefore, if the ball is flinging around at your head, it's not necessarily safe and inclusive. And it can be intimidating, especially when you have a difference in skill levels which there often is at that junior or youth level. That puts a lot of kids off playing," Bartlett said.
"Fundamentally we aren't creating performance players at ages 11 or 12. That's what it boils down to. What we're about in that space is getting as many people engaged with and involved in cricket. And how good they are, or whatever developmental stage they're at at that point, it doesn't really matter.
"As they mature, and come into their teens, they get to choose where they go with the sport. It's not up to us to choose for them."
Dr Michael Turner, the media director of the International Concussion and Head Injury Research Foundation, is among those pushing for the bouncer bans but the MCC's review has been met with plenty of dismay.
"It is a ridiculous suggestion and yet another example of the world we live in these days where anything risky is deemed too dangerous." wrote former England captain Michael Vaughan in the Telegraph.
"If we ban bouncers then what next? Get rid of short leg? You get hit far more fielding there than you do as a batsman. How about keepers standing up to the stumps? The list is endless."
Bartlett, a former pace bowler who played 21 first class matches for Auckland, understands the criticism, but doesn't agree.
Auckland Cricket's community manager Dean Bartlett, a former first-class bowler, backs the banning of bouncers. Photo / Photosport
"Being intimidated by the ball, some people will say it helps with skill development but on the flip side it also puts people off playing cricket and that's something we want to avoid. We want to get everyone we can playing cricket.
"As they progress, they can choose what progression looks like. So if they're aspirational, they can go into more competitive cricket and then we add on the complexities and developmental sides of the sport. But if you want to play one-day or T20 or even Last Man Stands, we want to provide those avenues. First and foremost though, we want to get them in, build the foundation, and get as many people involved as possible."
