Schools get tough on wearing of cricket hats

The Zimbabwe Standard: SEVERAL former Group A schools, as well as some junior cricket clubs in Zimbabwe, have imposed tough equipment laws for the sport, including the compulsory wearing of protective helmets for all batsman under 18 years of age.

The move has already begun to stir controversy with some cricket lovers claiming the game risks losing many talented youngsters who cannot afford to buy a helmet. However, with the best young bowlers able to deliver the ball at considerable speeds, the move is being defended on safety grounds.

"Cricket is a sport during which, one spends a lot of time exposed to the the sun and this often means that one risks getting infected with diseases like skin cancer, by not protecting their skin," said Brian Elkington, convenor of a junior cricket club based in Bulawayo.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Cricket Union says it has been inundated with requests for guidance from people running junior cricket clubs and schools around the country, who are worried by the risk of being sued in case of injuries.

A new ruling which was recently put into existence at Henry Low Junior School states that: "A young player should not be shown to bat or stand up to the stumps when keeping wicket, without a helmet against a hard ball except with written parental consent.

"Coaches, teachers and umpires should always ensure that a young player wears a helmet if this written parental consent has not been received. The ruling even covers the school's games, lessons and practice matches."

A seasoned cricket commentator remarked: "We live in an age of litigation so people have had to act in order to protect themselves from being held liable. I'm sure those particular schools and clubs will have thought long about it.

"Of course you cannot ignore the safety factor. If it prevents injury, then you cannot possibly argue against that. However, I think it will have a detrimental effect on the game because not everyone will be able to afford to pay for helmets," he said.

St Georges College, Peterhouse, Baines Junior School, as well Wadillove High school in Marondera, are among the schools that are said to be enforcing tough laws.

Contacted for comment, the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, through its development manager, Karikoga Motsi, said it does not encourage the enforcement of such tough laws at any cricketing centres, while at the same time admitting that that the union was powerless when it comes to forbidding any rulings made at private schools.

"Considering the enormous amount of time that one has to spend playing cricket, it is advisable, of course, for kids to protect their skin from the effects of the sun which may lead to cancer," said Motsi.

"However, the Zimbabwe Cricket Union does not necessarily force it on anyone to wear helmets when playing cricket, nor does it encourage the imposition of such tough laws in schools or even cricket clubs.

Motsi said the union only made the wearing of hats compulsory to its special teams to which it also provided the hats and other other related equipment. "It would be okay to make it compulsory if the equipment is there but if not, then those who are poor and disadvantaged may be pushed out of cricket.

"Of course, you may come across schools which we do not have control over but they should also remember that those who cannot afford to buy cricket equipment are sometimes the most talented," said Motsi.