Mumbai: Cricketer Phillip Hughes’ freak accident which led to his demise left the sports fraternity shattered. But in Australia, this isn’t the first time that a sportsperson lost his life being hit by a ball. Unfortunately, hockey isn’t as big as the gentleman’s game. Hence, when hockey player Lizzie Watkins died in 2012 – hit by the ball during a match – not many cared.
A top field hockey player, Watkins, held the stick for North Coast Raiders club. While playing a match in the Western Australian State League in Perth, a ball – deflected off a stick – hit her on the head leaving her unconscious on the ground.
The 24-year-old died on her way to the hospital. Watkins was a defender.
These accidents are one-off incidents and it is spooky that both happened with Australians in Australia.
The field hockey balls, spherical in shape, are as hard as the red leather balls in cricket. And in hockey, apart from the goalkeeper, nobody wears a helmet. Do you suggest they should?
