Getting padded up

Aaron Finch is receiving throw-downs in the nets, practicing power-hitting, straight back down the net and over the back nets into the waste ground behind. The Renegades fielding coach, Chris Harris, is the man standing 20 yards away, serving up the balls for Finch to hit, but it would be hard to recognise him because he is wearing heavy protection.

It has been recognised for a while that those at most risk from serious injury, particularly when it comes to T20 cricket, are not the batsman on strike, or the fielders, but the non-striker, bowler, the umpires and the coach who does the thrown downs in practice. A year ago, Harris had a fortunate escape when practising with the powerful West Indian, Andre Russell, who was with the Renegades then, and it changed his outlook. So the Renegades purchased a full set of protective equipment – helmet, full chest guard, abdominal protector and leg protectors – of the kind worn by baseball catchers who stand right behind the 'batter'.

“This is BBL five for me,” Harris explains, "and I’m getting a bit old. I had a bit of a scare last year when Andre whacked one real close to me. I had no helmet on or anything like that. So now I have full chest protection, baseball catchers gear, full protection and hopefully it allows the batters to hit however they want. It makes me confident about what I am doing and they are not worried about hitting me so they can hit as straight as they want rather than easing up, or trying to hit to either side balls they would rather hit straight.”