Most Aussies love their cricket, and with Australia Day coming this long week-end there will be more than a few pitches set up ‘in the backyard at mum’s’. Cricket is one of the most popular sports played over the Australian summer, with most young cricketers aspiring to one day wear the ‘Baggy Green’.
The most common injuries suffered at cricket are sprains, strains, fractures, bruising and open wounds. So if you are going to be playing social cricket on Australia day, make sure you remove any hazards from the playing area, such as rocks and branches, or the Esky and Gran! Wear plenty of Sunblock and a hat, and drink plenty of water…both players and spectators!
Thankfully, not too many serious injuries are sustained while playing cricket, but there are still some avoidable injuries that we see in the physiotherapy clinic, especially overuse injuries. If you play cricket, it is important to attend training sessions so you can fine tune your technique for bowling, batting and catching. Good technique will prevent a whole lot of pain from overuse injuries. Get your coach to teach you the proper sliding-stop technique.
Bowlers should restrict the number of overs they bowl during a day. Coaches need to take into consideration their players physical maturity and fitness, and restrict the number of overs bowled to reduce the risk of overuse injuries involving the shoulder and back. It is always important to warm up well before playing, and keep moving and stretching while fielding or waiting to bat. You should also do a set of stretches every day, twice a day. And it is just as important to keep them up in the off season. More injuries happen in the early part of the season because players are not fully fit and flexible.
If you are injured, go to your doctor or physiotherapist promptly. Your physiotherapist will assess your injury and give you the appropriate treatment to help you heal quickly. They will also assess your overall biomechanics to see if there is any underlying cause for your pain or injury. They will then advise you on how to prevent re-injury with taping or a guard, as well as a home program of exercises to get you back to top form. If you need help with any sports injury, call Lithgow Physiotherapy on 6352 2288.
So, have a Happy Australia Day! We really do live in the lucky country and we should count our blessings every day.
