3 Cricketers Who Tragically Lost Their Lives On The Pitch

As much as we love the game of cricket, it can be a cruel game sometimes. Its fast-paced nature as well as the hard leather ball and the speeds at which it travels around the pitch can have devastating effects. 

Furthermore, the toll that spending hours in the heat on a field takes the body is not to be underestimated. As such, a number of cricketers have tragically lost their lives while on the cricket pitch, and this list serves as a sombre reminder to be ever-vigilant.

In this article, we take a look at 3 cricketers who have lost their lives on a cricket pitch: 

1. Phillip Hughes

One of the most recent such unfortunate cases of fatalities on the cricket pitch, Australian batter Philip Hughes passed away on 27 November 2014 due to an injury sustained during a domestic game. The stylish southpaw was playing for South Australia in a Sheffield Shield Trophy match when New South Wales fast bowler Sean Abbott bowled a bouncer that snuck past his helmet and hit him on the head. He was rushed to the hospital but, eventually, passed away two days later.

2. Raman Lamba

Indian cricketer Raman Lamba, unfortunately, lost his life while fielding in a club match in Bangladesh in February 1998. Lamba was fielding at short leg when a firmly hit shot hit his head. Although he seemed to be fine initially, he succumbed to his injuries, three days later. Lamba was only 38 years old at the time. As a result of this tragic incident, the Governing Cricket Body allowed players fielding at short let to wear a helmet, a practice that is still followed to this day.

3. Wasim Raja

Former Pakistan batter and brother of a cricketer, commentator, and official Ramiz Raja, Wasim Raja succumbed to a heart attack while playing in an Over 50s game. Raja went on to become a referee while representing Surrey Over 50s in football. at Marlow in Buckinghamshire. He felt dizzy at first and was carried off the field but then collapsed on the boundary. He was 54 at the time of his unfortunate passing.