CHEERFUL and good company off the field and a tough competitor on it, the death of Aussie Test star Phil Hughes has stunned more than just the sporting world.

Today’s society is used to dealing with death when it occurs in war or on the roads. A death in sport, a death of someone having fun, seems more shocking.

The basic facts of his fatal injury are quite clear. He took his eye off the ball and turned his head, exposing his neck. The ball struck him there, rupturing an artery and causing a rush of blood to the brain. It was a freak injury.

In the Bodyline series, the English bowlers sent down fast, short-pitched deliveries aimed at the body under instructions from captain Douglas Jardine, and there were no severe casualties. The fierce, fast West Indian attack inflicted no serious injuries, neither did the fastest opening pair of all time – Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thompson. It must also be remembered they bowled in pre-helmet days.

Cricket for a batsman is the safest it has ever been. Helmets, chest pads and arm guards, allied to the traditional box and thigh pad give more protection than ever.

This may have caused complacency. The pre-helmet days of dealing with fast bowling were based on one rule. Keep your eye on the ball. Batsmen weaved and ducked. Do they now think their ‘armour’ will protect them?

Lancashire have already ordered new helmets for the coming season, designed to protect against the sort of injury Hughes sustained. I do not foresee any other changes.

It would do no harm to remind umpires of the powers they have to deal with intimidatory bowling but the game will go on.

To soften the ball would devalue it totally, and in what is increasingly a batsman’s game, the fast short-pitched ball must remain part of a bowler’s repertoire.

Phil Hughes was a fine cricketer – but it was a freak accident. The game will go on. He would want it no other way.