Southwick and Shoreham Cricket Club bans sixes to tackle damage and safety issues, prompting mixed reactions
\n Islamabad
\nSouthwick and Shoreham Cricket Club, one of the oldest cricket clubs in the world, has implemented a new rule banning sixes in an attempt to address frequent damage and safety issues.
\nFormed in 1790 near Brighton, the club has long operated on a compact ground with short boundaries, adjacent to residential properties. Despite installing protective nets, residents have repeatedly reported damage to windows, cars, and injuries from stray balls.
\nUnder the new rule, the first six hit in an innings will not count for runs, and any subsequent six will result in the batsman being dismissed. This decision has met with a mixed response from both players and local residents.
\nA club batsman expressed frustration, calling the rule \u201cridiculous\u201d and lamenting the loss of a key aspect of the game. \u201cHitting the bowler for a six out is part of the glory of the sport. How can you ban it?\u201d he said. \u201cIt removes the joy of it. I don\u2019t agree that the rules should be tinkered with in this fashion.\u201d
\nAnother player highlighted the rising insurance costs and health and safety concerns. \u201cEverything is about health and safety these days, and insurance companies are charging a fortune to indemnify sports clubs against accidental damage or injury to bystanders,\u201d he noted. \u201cIf you buy a house next to a cricket ground, then you\u2019ve got to expect a few cricket balls in your garden.\u201d
\nLocal resident Mary Gill, 80, supported the new rule, citing frequent damage to her Grade II-listed cottage. \u201cIt\u2019s a very small ground and can\u2019t accommodate the testosterone-fuelled young men who just want to hit the ball as far as they can,\u201d she said.
\nClub treasurer Mark Broxup explained that the decision was driven by the need to avoid escalating insurance claims and legal issues. \u201cIn the olden days, cricket was more sedate. With the advent of T20 and limited-overs formats, the sport has become far more explosive,\u201d Broxup said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Southwick and Shoreham Cricket Club bans sixes to tackle damage and safety issues, prompting mixed reactions Islamabad Southwick and Shoreham Cricket Club, one of the oldest cricket clubs in the world, has implemented a new rule banning sixes in an attempt to address frequent damage and safety issues. Formed in 1790 near Brighton, the club […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-420027","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n