November 27 marks the second death anniversary of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes. He died in a hospital in Sydney, two days after being struck on the head by a Sean Abbott bouncer while playing a First-Class match. The Australia batsman was struck on the head by a bouncer during the match between South Australia and New South Wales. Hughes succumbed to his injuries two days later. Here we recall the names of players who died while serving the beautiful game in the field.
Wasim Raja (Pakistan, 54) – 2006
Raja represented Pakistan during his playing career and went on to become an ICC match referee. He suffered a heart attack when playing for Surrey over 50s at Marlow in Buckinghamshire, having played 57 Test matches and 54 ODI’s for his country.
Raman Lamba (India, 38) – 1998
The former India international was hit on the head while fielding during a club match in Dhaka. Standing at short-leg close to the batsman, the opener sustained serious brain injuries and went into a coma three days after the incident before being pronounced dead. As well as India, Lamba represented Ireland in unofficial ODI matches.
Ian Folley (England, 30) – 1993
Folley had been tipped for an England call-up before a left-arm injury saw him retire from the game. He would return in 1991, but was hit below the eye in a freak accident while batting in a domestic match for Derbyshire against Workington. While under anaesthetic in hospital, Folley suffered a heart attack and was pronounced dead.
Wilf Slack (England, 34) - 1989
Slack collapsed and died during a domestic match in Banjul, Gambia. He had suffered four blackouts in previous matches, but despite carrying out tests, doctors were unable to diagnose the cause of his death.
