Cricket players can be hit in the chest by a ball travelling at a high speed. This type of injury is relatively common and causes contusion (bruising) of the soft tissue.

However, the injury might also include rib contusions, rib fractures, costochondral (the small joints between the sternum and ribs) separation and dislocation, sternum fracture and even injury of the lungs.

Content reviewed and enhanced by Dr Joe de Beer, a well-known orthopaedic specialist, and T-J Malherbe, a physiotherapist. Both are from Cape Town.