10 Greatest Cricketers Who Died During Matches | Black Days In Cricket 2024 Guide

1. Phillip Hughes

Australian Test and One-Day International squads included left-handed opening batsman Phillip Hughes. In addition to playing two seasons with New South Wales, he was a domestic cricket player for Worcestershire and South Australia.

In 2009, he made his Test cricket debut at 20. On November 25, 2014, during a Sheffield Shield match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sean Abbott bounced Phillip Hughes till he lost consciousness.

A subarachnoid hemorrhage resulted from a vertebral artery dissection brought on by the trauma. After being brought to St. Vincent’s Hospital, Phillip Hughes was put into an induced coma and was in critical condition and intensive care.

 

2. Wilf Slack

English cricketer Wilf Slack played for the national side of England in three Test matches and two One Day International matches before his untimely demise abruptly ended his career.

Slack, 34, died after collapsing during a game in Banjul, The Gambia, on January 15, 1986. Slack was highly well-liked by his fellow cricket players and had been coached throughout five English winters in New Zealand.

“He was particularly popular among fellow cricketers, who spoke feelingly of their respect and sorrow when he died,” his Wisden obituary said after his passing. He was also deeply missed in New Zealand, where he served as a coach for five English winters.

 

3. Wasim Raja

Wasim Raja, a cricketer from Pakistan, played in 54 One-Day Internationals and 57 Test matches for his country between 1973 and 1985 while representing Pakistan in cricket. His brother was Rameez Raja, a star player for the squad and one of the greatest captains ever.

After marriage, Wasim moved to London with his new wife, Ann, an Englishwoman. Wasim attended Durham University to pursue a diploma in education. Following a year of teaching at Surrey’s Caterham School, he took on the coach role for Pakistan’s Under-19 squad.

When he officiated 34 One-Day Internationals and 15 Test matches for the International Cricket Council between 2002 and 2004, he was also visible on the field in a distinct avatar.

He suffered a heart attack and passed away in August 2006 while participating for the Surrey over-50s in a game in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England.

 

4. Richard Beaumont

On August 5, 2012, Richard Beaumont, a 33-year-old cricket player, is thought to have had a suspected heart attack while on the field at Pedmore Cricket Club in Stourbridge.

He lost consciousness instantly, and medical personnel rushed him to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Regretfully, not long after he arrived at the hospital, medical professionals declared him dead.

After taking five wickets for just 31 runs in just 12 overs against Astwood Bank Cricket Club, Richard Beaumont fell ill around 3:45 p.m.Local rivals Beaumont used social networking networks to recall.

“Sad day for cricket the untimely death of Pedmore CC Cricketer Richard Beaumont, thoughts and prayers from all at Redditch Cricket Club,” the Redditch Cricket Club said at the time.

 

5. Zulfiqar Bhatti

During Zulfiqar Bhatti’s batting innings in the Begum Khursheed Memorial T20 competition in Sukkur, a district in the Sindh province of Pakistan, a quick ball struck him in the chest.

While trying to pull off a pull shot, he was wounded in the chest and taken prisoner by his older brother Ali Asad. He was placed on a ventilator and brought right away to a civil hospital. However, on December 19, 2013, the impact caused him to be later pronounced dead.

According to district cricket secretary Ayaz Mehmood, “everyone is shocked about his accidental death, which is sad news for us.”

“The district administration has suspended sports activities throughout Sukkur district for three days as a condolence,” the statement adds.

 

6. Ian Folley

Ian Folley was a left-arm bowler and a right-handed batsman. The English cricket player began his career as a medium pacer before switching to spin bowling.

Spin bowling was his new focus after Jack Bond’s coaching and mentoring. Folley began his playing career as a seamer for Lancashire in 1982 before all of this.

Over the following two seasons, he grabbed 129 wickets at a bowling average of less than thirty. Against Workington, he was batting for Whitehaven when a bouncer delivery struck him below the eye.

7. George Summers

Born on June 21, 1844, George Summers spent his first-class cricket career as a player for Nottinghamshire.

He was hit by a short delivery from fast bowler John Platts during an 1870 match at Lord’s versus the MCC.

After the medical personnel removed George from the field, he appeared to recover. He was returning to Nottingham via train. George Summers passed away from his injuries sustained from the ball’s impact four days later, on June 19, 1870.

8. Daren Randal

While attending Stirling Primary and Selborne College in East London, Daren Randal participated in four first-class and four List-A games for Border in 2009. He was also the head of Stirling Premier School’s well-acclaimed cricket academy.

Daren Randal attempted a pull shot during a game between Old Selbornians and Fore Hare University. He was struck on the side of his head by a rising delivery. That was when he fell on the crease right away.

He was taken to the hospital by emergency personnel, but on October 27, 2013, he passed away. Speaking about the terrible situation, CSA Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said,

“Yes, this is a pretty depressing day. Let me offer CSA’s sincere condolences on behalf of the South African cricketing family.

9. Abdul Aziz

Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Abdul Aziz was an opening batsman and wicketkeeper. He attended S. M. College and worked for the Pakistan State Bank. Abdul Aziz played for Karachi in eight first-class games.

Dildwar Awan’s sluggish off-break hit him in the heart. The event occurred during the Quaid-e-Azam final’s opening innings versus Pakistan Combined Services.

When Aziz went to take his stance for the next ball, he fell to the ground and never came up. On January 17, 1959, en route to the hospital, he passed away.

Abdul Aziz is listed as “absent” in the game’s second innings, with a footnote stating he was injured but had passed away as a result of the impact.

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10. Raman Lamba

Indian batsman Raman Lamba represented his country in four Test matches and thirty-two One Day Internationals. In addition to representing Ireland in unofficial One Day International matches, he played for the Indian squad.

On February 20, 1998, Raman Lamba was competing for the top team in Dhaka, Abahani Krira Chakra, against Mohammedan Sporting Club in the Premier Division cricket match held at the Dhaka Bangabandhu Stadium.

As Mehrab Hossain fielded a ball from left-arm spinner Saifullah Khan at forwarding short-leg, he was struck by a cricket ball on his temple.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the deaths of cricketers during matches serve as sobering reminders of the risks inherent in competitive sports. The cricketing community strives to create a safer and more inclusive environment for players of all levels by honoring the memories of those who have passed away and learning from past mistakes.