Safety concerns over Ninja Stadium dimensions in BBL

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Safety concerns over Ninja Stadium dimensions in BBL

Ninja Stadium’s BBL configurations are set to be placed firmly under the spotlight, amid concerns safety guidelines were not followed when Hobart captain Nathan Ellis crashed head-first into an advertising board.

Ellis was left prone on Ninja Stadium for several minutes on Friday night after he slid head-first into an LED screen while trying to stop an overthrow going to the boundary against the Sydney Thunder.

Cricket Australia guidelines state that a four-metre buffer zone must be in place between the boundary and any hard objects, in a bid to avoid such incidents.

AAP has been told there are serious concerns the buffer did not meet those requirements on Friday night, and was much closer to three metres where Ellis was injured.

Hurricanes officials refused to comment on the matter when contacted by AAP on Sunday, and would not provide details on field dimensions from Friday night.

While the BBL is a Cricket Australia competition, home sides are responsible for the set-up of fields.

Cricket Tasmania is the chief operator of Ninja Stadium, the ground traditionally known as Bellerive Oval.

It will also host the Hurricanes’ next match against Melbourne Renegades on Tuesday.

It’s understood BBL officials are seeking more information from Hobart about the situation.

Hurricanes star Tim David was critical of the lack of a buffer zone after Ellis suffered the head knock.

David, who has played in Twenty20 leagues in India, England, the West Indies and the US, said the distance between the boundary and the edge of the field in the BBL was often too tight.

“I think the boundary ropes are way too close to the fence. We’ve seen a couple of guys run into the LED screens,” he said, speaking directly after the match.

“We’ve got massive grounds here in Australia, so I think it is something (where) safety needs to be looked at for players.

“I don’t feel comfortable diving over the rope to try to take a catch half the time. You feel like you’re going to hit your head.”

David said Ellis had been left with a “big lump” on his head, despite passing a concussion test to return to the game.

Ellis is said to be doing well ahead of the Hurricanes’ clash with the Renegades.

David also claimed it was not the first time he had held concerns about field dimensions.

“This was the short side (of the ground on Friday), so you are trying to make the boundaries as big as you can,” David said.

“(But) we play on the biggest grounds, we play on football grounds.

“We really shouldn’t be getting into this situation where it is dangerous for players.”

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