One of England’s oldest cricket clybs has banned batters from hitting sixes. Although the rule may seem bizarre to some fans, it’s not very different from a rule implemented in gully cricket across India. Notably, since a lot of backyard cricket is actually played on residential areas, hitting a big shot often troubles people living in the neighbourhood. It is for the same reason, that the 234-year-old Southwick and Shoreham Cricket Club has banned batters from hitting sixes.
It is being learnt that the neighbours of the cricket club in West Sussex reached out to the club and complained that cricket balls were actually causing damage to their windows, cars and sheds. In a bid to address the issue, the new club rule states that while the first six will be called as null, the one that follows will be deemed out.
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“It’s a very small ground and can’t accommodate the testosterone-fuelled young men who come along and just want to hit the ball as far as they can,” Mary Gill, an 80-year-old resident, said as quoted by The Telegraph.
‘It’s Ridiculous’: Club Player On Sixes Being Banned
However, the club players did not seem to please with the decision of banning the players from hitting sixes.
“Hitting the bowler for a six is part of the glory of the sport. How can you ban it? It’s ridiculous. To take that away removes the joy of it,” said one of the players of this club which was founded in 1790.
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“Everything 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,” another player chipped in.
“I’ve never had a ball in my property but I don’t really agree with banning sixes – it’s one of the most interesting things about the sport,” a local cab driver reckoned.
