In general I think cricket is not for the most part, which is part of the reason why this comes as such a shock.
But there is always the potential for serious injury. Another example is Raman Lamba who was hit fatally while fielding without a helmet in 1998 at short leg. So it is not the first time someone has died on the cricket pitch. The video posted a few posts before by tugga is an example where the fielder was pretty lucky nothing happened. Lamba was not so lucky.
Fantastic point right there. and I say with personal experience that I had to indeed learn the hard way.
I spent a week in hospital after my jaw was crushed whilst fielding at short leg. Me being the young macho tough man refused to even entertain the thought of wearing a helmet. But a short ball from our leggie, followed by a beautifully timed pull shot into my face changed all that. But I was actually indeed lucky. The surgeon had said I could have been killed if the impact was slightly higher.
When I got out of hospital with titanium screws holding my jaw together, the first notable thing I did was go and buy a helmet. Now, I never bat of field in close without it. You see, sometimes it takes an accident to learn and understand that some things are more important than macho pride!
This also equates to have the latest helmet design and wearing current models which in theory should be the safest.