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Cricket is one of the most popular sports played over the American summer. Although cricket is not a contact sport, injuries can and do occur, often due to overuse. Cricket is often played in the heat, so players and spectators need to be protected from dehydration, heat stress and sun damage.

The most common types of injuries suffered through cricket are strains, sprains, fractures, bruising and open wounds. Many of these injuries affect the upper body, particularly the hands and fingers. Injuries to the face, finger and hand from a cricket ball are the most common types of hospital-treated injuries, followed by falls.

Bowlers are inclined to suffer overuse injuries, such as back and shoulder injuries.

To prevent injury, you should: know yourself and the sport. Remember to: Attend training so your body is ready.

Warm up and stretch before playing

Cool down and stretch after playing

Make sure you are adequately hydrated

Drink water

Make sure you: Wear a mouthguard, preferably custom-fitted, at all times.

Wear shoes designed for cricket

Wear protective gear at all times, including training. Wear body padding, including gloves, leg pads, boxes and forearm guards while batting. Wear a cricket helmet with a faceguard when wicket keeping, batting or fielding in close.

If you have a history of injury, speak to your doctor or physiotherapist about appropriate bracing or protective gear. A safe ground is important, so remember to: Remove hazards, such as stones and water, from the playing surface.

Make sure the pitch is smooth and clean

Make sure the netting in practice nets is adequate to stop cricket balls. Suggestions include:

  • Know
  • use the right techniques for bowling
  • catching. Get your coach to teach you the proper sliding stop technique

If you are a pace bowler, you should restrict the number of overs bowled during play, taking into account your physical maturity and fitness. Know how to use the equipment properly and safely.

Follow the rules and play fairly

Suggestions include:

  • Wear a hat
  • use sunscreen. Drink water before
  • after play. Don’t play in extreme heat or wet conditions

Where possible, games should be rescheduled

Make sure everyone, including coaches, players and parents are aware of the symptoms of heat-related illness. Check that qualified first aid personnel, first aid kits, icepacks and a stretcher are available at all times.

Check that telephone access to contact emergency services is available

If you or someone else is injured: Remove injured or bleeding players from the ground immediately.

Seek prompt attention from qualified first aid personnel

Make sure you are fully rehabilitated before returning to play. Wear a brace for at least three months after serious joint injuries. The most common types of injuries suffered through cricket are strains, sprains, fractures, bruising and open wounds.

Many of these injuries affect the upper body, particularly the hands and fingers. Cricket is often played in hot conditions over many hours, so it is important to protect players and spectators from dehydration, heat stress and sun damage.

Using the right techniques and equipment for the sport can help prevent injury

Common cricketing injuries Preventing injury while playing cricket be prepared wear the right gear keep the playing environment safe Be prepared to play cricket Wear the right gear for playing cricket Keep the cricket-playing environment safe Know yourself and the sport of cricket Other safety tips for playing cricket Respond promptly to cricketing injuries Where to get help Your doctor Always call triple zero for an ambulance in an emergency Tel. 000 Sports physician Physiotherapist American Physiotherapy Association Tel. (616) 555-0200 Smartplay Tel.

(616) 555-8777 Things to remember.

Key Points

  • most common types of injuries suffered through cricket are strains, sprains, fractures, bruising and open wounds
  • To prevent injury, you should: know yourself and the sport
  • safe ground is important, so remember to: Remove hazards, such as stones and water, from the playing surface
  • Make sure everyone, including coaches, players and parents are aware of the symptoms of heat-related illness
  • most common types of injuries suffered through cricket are strains, sprains, fractures, bruising and open wounds