5 bizarre injuries in cricket

Injuries are part and parcel of any sport, and cricket is no different. While players do hurt themselves during the game, there are a few injuries that have occurred in the most unusual circumstances over the years.

Mark Boucher, for example, had to retire from cricket due to freak injury when a dislodged bail hit him in the eye, resulting in a corneal laceration.

We take a look at some of the more bizarre injuries that have kept players out of action in cricket history.

#5 Glenn McGrath

McGrath tore a few ligaments in his right ankle

It was 2005 and England were being led by the charismatic Michael Vaughan. Many believed this was the side which could beat Australia in the Ashes and win back the Urn for the first time in almost 20 years.

But Glenn McGrath had other ideas as he ran through the English batting order in the first Test at Lord’s, even getting his 500th Test wicket in the process.

But then a loose cricket ball on the outfield at Edgbaston changed the course of the Ashes that year. The Australian team were warming up by playing a game of touch rugby and McGrath, who was part of the drill too, stepped on the stray ball.

He tore a few ligaments in his right ankle and was out of the rest of the series. England won the Test match and went on to claim the Urn.

#4 Chris Old

Chris old broke a rib while sneezing

Chris Old was known for his injuries more than his cricket. But he was an excellent fast bowler who could contribute with the bat lower down the order.

He was also one of the unsung batting partner’s of Ian Botham in England's miraculous fightback against Australia at Headingley in 1981. But what comes as a surprise is that Old once had to sit out of a Test match as he broke a rib after sneezing.

Even his teammates would make fun of his injury problems, and therefore the first bowling machine installed at Lord's was nicknamed Chris Old as it kept breaking down very often.

#3 Jimmy Adams

Adams nursing his injured right hand

After hours of discussions and negotiations in a hotel in London, the 1998-1999 West Indies tour to South Africa was given the go-ahead. At one time, it looked like the whole series was going to be scrapped following a dispute concerning payments.

Veteran West Indies cricketer Jimmy Adams was on a flight to Johannesburg when he sliced through some of his tendons on the right hand while cutting bread.

Dr Ali Bacher responded to an announcement seeking the services of a doctor only to find Adams lying there with blood gushing out of his hand.

The accident sidelined Adams from the tour. A similar incident had occurred with Mark Boucher in 2000 when he cut his hand while trying to slice meat.

#2 Trevor Franklin

Trevor Franklin

This was one of the most severe accidents in the list. New Zealand batsman Trevor Franklin was mowed down by a motorised luggage trolley in London after the end of his side’s tour in 1986. On tour, he had also broken a thumb.

As a result of the accident, the Kiwi batsman suffered multiple fractures on his leg. He had to stay away from cricket for one and a half years, and when he returned, he never managed to run at full speed again. Despite the setback, he went on to notch a fantastic hundred at Lord’s four years later.

But injuries did not leave him be. While facing David Lawrence of England in 1991, he ended up suffering a broken forearm. In a career that spanned eight years, Franklin scored 828 runs from 21 games at an average of 23.00.

#1 Mathew Hayden

Hayden (centre) was bitten by a dog

Australia’s star batsman Matthew Hayden broke a finger just at the start of the 2006-2007 season and had to stay away from cricket because of it.

To keep himself fit the burly Aussie decided to go for a leisurely jog one day. But unfortunately, a local dog saw him running and attacked him. The bite from the dog punctured his skin, and he had to be rushed to the hospital with a five cm-deep gash in his ankle.

"It was a vicious attack," Hayden had said. "I was just out for a leisurely run. You are always a bit shocked by that sort of thing, but I was more disappointed than anything. It just hasn't been my week."

But Hayden recovered after a few months and went back to play for Australia and score truckloads of runs.