The History Trust of South Australia:
Talking History presents

Death on the cricket field: Fatal accidents in Australian cricket from 1858 to 2014,
with guest presenter Tom Gara

Tuesday 8 September, 2020 at 5.30pm via Zoom

When Phillip Hughes died after being struck by a cricket ball at the Sydney Cricket Ground in November 2014, his death was described as a ‘freak accident’ and a ‘million to one’ chance. However, research on Trove shows that nearly 200 Australians have died in cricket accidents since the first recorded fatality in 1858, with about half of these deaths occurring in formal matches in district, suburban, church and country competitions and the remainder in backyard, street and social games.

Tom Gara collaborated with several sports medicine experts on a detailed study of cricket fatalities which led to the introduction by Cricket Australia of the compulsory wearing of helmets by batters, wicket-keepers and close-in fielders in all grades of cricket. In this presentation Tom will discuss the results of his research and the ways in which Trove has revolutionised historical research.

This free lecture is part of the History Trust’s Talking History series.

This event will commence at 5.30pm via Zoom. There will be a short Q&A at the end.