Cricket club bans sixes to cut out insurance claims costs

Southwick and Shoreham Cricket Club, which was formed in 1790 in West Sussex, has banned players after receiving complaints from local residents.

Hitting a six is when a batsman hits the ball far enough that it clears the perimeter of the field without touching the floor.

Often, when the ball is hit with this level of power, it clears the field of play and, in the case of the SSCC, it has led to damage to neighbouring homes.

We took the proactive decision to ban sixes at the ground after a few incidents when cars, houses and even roofs were damaged.

Mark Broxup, SSCC treasurer

Despite the club installing protective nets, residents have repeatedly reported damage to windows, cars and injuries from stray balls.

Batsmen have been told the first six will count as no runs. Then, if they hit a second during their innings on the green, they are out.

Mark Broxup, treasurer of the club, is quoted in The Daily Mail as saying: “We took the proactive decision to ban sixes at the ground after a few incidents when cars, houses and even roofs were damaged.

“We don't want to have to pay costly insurance or have any legal claims against us, so it seemed a sensible thing to do.”

Reaction

This has not gone down well with players, however, who have vented their frustrations to MailOnline.

One batter said: “Hitting the bowler for a six is part of the glory of the sport. How can you ban it? It’s ridiculous. To take that away removes the joy of it. I don’t agree that the rules should be tinkered with in this fashion.”

Another player said: “Everything is about health and safety these days and insurance companies are charging a fortune to indemnify sports clubs against accidental damage or injury to bystanders.

“If you buy a house next to a cricket ground you’ve got expect a few cricket balls in your garden.”

Respect for neighbours

In the aftermath of announcing the decision and the story breaking on MailOnline, SSCC chair Des O’Dell appeared on The Jeremy Vine show on the BBC, where he clarified the thinking behind the decision.

He said: “The environment has changed since 1790 when the club was founded, and progressively things have got a little bit tighter with houses being built and with traffic.

“Back in 2015, we moved our men’s league and 20-over teams. The kit is getting better, the bat is hitting the ball further, and people are fitter and stronger.”

O’Dell said the big-hitting games would move to a larger park in Shoreham.

“What we have kept on Southwick Green is our junior teams, because the area is ideal for junior teams, our ladies' team and a team of gentleman of a certain age who don’t hit the ball very far.”

“I got the chance to highlight our community spirit, our respect for neighbours and our proactive approach in making Southwick Green a hub for junior and ladies' cricket.

Des O’Dell, SSCC chair

But the rule is only in force for Shoreham Green because the teams that still play there will have visiting teams who may come along and start playing by hitting sixes.

“We wanted to discourage that,” O’Dell said.

In a Facebook post following the interview, O’Dell said: “I got the chance to highlight our community spirit, our respect for neighbours and our proactive approach in making Southwick Green a hub for junior and ladies' cricket.

“The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Thank you to our neighbours at Southwick Green and Buckingham Park and to our sponsors for their supportive messages.”