Concerns have been raised over the safety of Hobart’s Ninja Stadium following a Friday night incident where Hurricanes captain Nathan Ellis slid headfirst into an advertising board.
Cricket Australia guidelines require a four-metre buffer zone between the boundary and any hard objects to prevent such incidents.
However, sources reported by AAP suggest that the buffer zone may have fallen short during the match.
It is believed the buffer measured closer to three metres in the area where Ellis was injured, prompting criticism from star batter Tim David.
David said the boundary ropes were “way too close to the fence” and that he had “seen a couple of guys run into the LED screens”.
“I don’t feel comfortable diving over the rope to try to take a catch half the time,” David said.
“You feel like you’re going to hit your head.”
Hurricanes officials declined to comment on the matter.
Ellis was able to return to the field after passing a concussion test, which David said left a “big lump” on his head.
Appearing on Seven after the match, Ellis said he was doing well.
Almost forgotten in Tim David's hitting masterclass: the scary moment in which Nathan Ellis crashed into the fence.
Fortunately the @HurricanesBBL skipper is OK, and joins us to talk through the incident #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/ZKImZ1mNL1
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 10, 2025
“My right foot sort of slipped as I was about to go and then I smacked into the corner of the LED,” he said.
“Just a bit of bad luck. I hit it pretty hard, but I’m okay. I feel great.”
