“We must not over-react”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Legendary South Africa bowler Allan Donald has announced that bouncers should not be banned following the tragic death of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes.

Donald’s comments come after Hughes passed away just two days after he was hit on the side of the neck by a bouncer from New South Wales pace bowler Sean Abbott.

“I hope it doesn’t take this horrific incident to make the sport’s bosses think that the only way to make the sport safe is to outlaw the bouncer,” Donald said. “It would make for no contest if bouncers were ruled out of the game.

“As a fast bowler, you use your bouncer to intimidate, to send a message to the batsman, to make him think twice and to test various skills. I understand that many people outside of cricket will look at this and questions about safety will be asked, but we must not over-react.”

Donald also recalled how he thought he killed United Arab Emirates captain Sultan Zarawani when he bowled a bouncer that struck him on the head during the 1996 World Cup.

“When I struck him, I thought I had killed him,” Donald said. “(The ball) made just the most horrible thud when it hit him.

“I was just so shocked by his response – he just put his floppy (hat) back on and continued batting.”

Donald added that he doesn’t think there is anything wrong with the helmets being used these days.

“The helmets they have these days are magnificent, I’m not really sure how they can make them any better,” he said.