One of the oldest cricket clubs in the world, West Sussex Cricket Club, has now banned hitting sixes during its matches. The cricket club, dating as far back as 1790 and located just off Brighton, has always played on one of the smallest grounds with very short boundaries.
As much as the club tried hard to set up nets, which necessarily had to be limited in height by surrounding trees, there were nevertheless plenty of cases of smashed windows, dented cars, and even personal injuries. To curb these issues, the club has now resolved that hitting a six will not count as a run the first time around, with any subsequent sixes declaring the batsman out. This move has brought a lot of controversy between players and residents.
Players React Strongly to New Rule
According to some players, anger raged because hitting Sixes was part of the game and rather exciting. One player from the Southwick and Shoreham Cricket, also sited near Brighton, branded this ban “ridiculous.” The player explained that he was angry because removing the possibility of hitting sixes would take away a large part of the thrill and the glory of the game. He felt that making such an alteration to the basic rules of cricket took a lot of the pleasure and traditional aspects out of the game.
A second player responded that anyone who buys a house within range of a cricket ground should have known what to expect, including the risk of damage to their property. He said that the risks have increased costs related to insurance for sports clubs immensely, so the local community should take some responsibility for the situation.
The treasurer of the West Sussex Cricket Club, Mark Broxup, said the new rule was necessary to try to keep spiraling insurance costs and possible legal suits in check. He added that cricket has changed a great deal since the invention of T20 and other limited-over formats, so that it is a good deal quicker and thus more dangerous.
Broxup added that the decision to ban Sixes was to protect both the club and the local community from these modern dangers. He reiterated that the game of cricket used to be less frenetic than now; however, with high-risk factors in the current atmosphere, this change was imperative for safety and financial reasons.
Club’s Decision to Curb Costs and Risks
The introduction of the no-sixes rule raises an issue—that of treading the tightrope—between tradition and modern safety concerns for the West Sussex Cricket Club as it attempts to preserve its age-old traditions while heeding contemporary safety concerns. This club is an institution dating back centuries in this community, rich in history, and possessing a unique ground layout.
It’s part of a bigger picture of traditional sports moving towards compliance with modern safety standards and financial realities. While some of the players were quite disappointed by this change, one can almost feel that the club is trying to find a solution that will protect its heritage while adapting to contemporary challenges.
The new rule has received some mixed reactions. While many locals are relieved, others have the feeling that the essence of the game has been sold out. This decision, while in some ways aimed at reducing damage incidents and thus being safer, also underlines the difficulty historic clubs find in adjusting to the modern-day sports environment.
As the West Sussex Cricket Club makes this transition, how the club manages the practical and emotional effects of this new rule on its players and the local community will be of the essence. The ability of the club to maintain its historic feel in dealing with modern-day issues will go a long way in determining its future success and acceptance by players and locals alike.
