Sehwag cautions on banning bouncers

BANNING bouncers following the death of Australia’s Phillip Hughes would be unfair on bowlers because batsmen always have the option of ducking under short-pitched deliveries, former India opener Virender Sehwag said yesterday.

Hughes, who would have been 26 at the weekend, died on Thursday last week from an injury caused by a ball striking him on the back of the head during a domestic match, triggering a huge outpouring of grief around the world.

Restricting Sehwag in full flow has been a very difficult task for bowlers over the years but the 36-year-old, who has scored two triple centuries in tests, feels there should be no clampdown on bouncers.

“It was very sad that Hughes died in such a way. But it’s part of cricket and injuries are part of any sport,” Sehwag said at a promotional event organised by MoneyGram to mark next year’s 50-over World Cup.

“You have an option to duck bouncers as a batsman. If you cut out the bouncers, then there is no fun left in the game and it’s already a batsman’s game.

“I have been hit on the helmet by quite a few bouncers. But it’s a weapon for the bowlers so they should not be robbed of it.”

The flamboyant right-hander, who last played for India in March last year, was an integral part of the country’s World Cup-winning team in 2011 on home soil. He has not given up hope of playing in next year’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand and believes India have the strength to defend the trophy. – Reuters