[silverbaggie]

Yep, and it's part of Abbott's game - he often delivers ones that pitches up higher - he's been doing it for years and both players knew each others game well.

Imagine the odds of him throwing that ball, at that speed, with that spin, landing on that piece of grass and pitching up in that exact angle, and the bowler positioning himself in that exact way that it misses the protective piece of equipment covering 95% of his body from his shoulders upwards.

Condolences out to all envolved - bit of a tradgedy within the sport.

Why not wear a helmet similar to Petta Checks,might do bit of good.May be one thats a bit thinner on top and thicker behind the ear. This is where he was hit causing a artery to burst.WCCC showing great sympathy as he played for them in 2012 RIP and condolences to his family and the bowler needs some support now.Get rid of the bouncer? maybe.

I think that they said on this morning's news that he wasn't wearing the latest type of headgear which has more protection in the area where he was hit.

A very sad day for cricket and my sincere condolences to his family and many friends.

[drewks]

Regarding the real tragedy of Phillip Hughes's death, I really hope that everyone will keep a sense of perspective over this.
I know that one death is horrendous, but this is (I believe) the first one that has happened anywhere in the world, certainly in first class cricket....and probably in cricket at all levels. How many MILLIONS of short balls have been bowled without injury or worse?

IMO there doesn't need to be any change in the laws of the game, or the protective gear that is worn. A freak accident like this can happen as a one-in-5-million event. Games HAVE altered as a result of more frequent accidents, and quite rightly so, but IMO changing the rules now because of this ONE incident wouldn't be sensible or necessary.

I hope this doesn't come across as being uncaring or unsympathetic - I am a real cricket fan and REALLY feel for all concerned; however I would suspect that even Phillip Hughes would be against a change because of just one incident.

[BaggieMan]

Fortunately, what happened is VERY rare but of course, for it to happen just once is once too many. I read somewhere that more cricketers have died of typhoid than being hit by bouncers.

Bouncers are part and parcel of the game of cricket like heading a soccer ball is in footie. Doubt if bouncers would be banned but there certainly will she developments in the extent and standard of headgear protection.
Amazing really, when you think back not so many years when batsmen wore no head protection whatsoever.

Quite right that our thoughts should also be with Sean Abbott (the bowler) as he must be in a right state - something that will be with him for the rest of his life no matter what anyone can say to him albeit a complete accident.

[BaggieMan]

Sky Bet odds for Irvine being the next manager/coach to be given P45 down to 7/4.

Trouble is, Tony Pukeless is one of the favourites to replace Irvine. Can you imagine if Pukeless came to The Baggies?  Makes me shudder.

[BBB]

Just found out that the bowler was Sean Abbott; apparently he was a close friend of Hughes, and they were roommates on Australia's T20 tours.  Really, really hope the bloke's okay, because that must be sickening (obviously causing a stranger's death by accident would be awful in itself, but if it's someone you know and are mates with, I can only imagine the further horror and grief).  It's tragic enough to have lost one man without it potentially destroying the life of another.

Well said, and I'm fully in agreement that it must be horrific for the man

[BaggieMan]

We play well, play positively in a higher line controlling midfield for 15mins, score and then for some unexplainable reason, drop back, lose the midfield, play negatively looking scared to death and concede.

Who, is the 'dickhead' who decides this policy?  Is it the players or is it the Head Coach hoping upon hope the opposition won't score and us sneaking a 1-0 win in spite of the opposition overrunning us for 75mins.

For 45mins in the second half last night by attacking, attacking, attacking, West Ham barely got in our half. Surely Irvine could see that attack is the best form of defence?

[BaggieMan]

It looks like Nigel Pearson is on a sticky wicket at Leicester and may be shown his P45 if results don't improve even though, in all honesty, he doesn't have Premiership quality in his squad.

Both Nigel Pearson and Alan Irvine are on the bookies shortlist for the sack....  question is, should Irvine go might Nigel Pearson be a potential replacement given his West Brom connections and a degree of success when he was caretaker following Tony Mowbray's departure ?

We all know the jump from the Championship to the Prem is huge and the expectations of Leicester City and its fans were and are, probably far too high.

[tidy]

The going is tough at Lesta atm, so what does Mr Charisma do?

Tell a 'fan' to "f*** off and die".

Nice.

[BaggieMan]

Although there's no excuse for Nigel Pearson to tell a fan to go forth and multiply, i think that after bringing Leicester from mid table obscurity to the Premiership in two seasons, I'd be somewhat pissed off if some dickhead fan said to me "You don't know what you're doing"

[BaggieMan]

New contract talks with Saido Berahino called off due to JP's concern over his off-the-field behaviour.

Do we have another Odemwingie type situation brewing?
Is JP right to stall negotiations?
Is Saido attempting to engineer a January move?
Should we ship him out?