Discover the danger zones in this not-so-gentle ‘gentleman’s sport’ and what our cricketplayers have to say about injuries on the pitch.

What the players say

Ashwell Prince (Protea player) "I dived for a ball in 2002 and injured my shoulder so badly I had to sit on the sidelines for six months!"

Fanie de Villiers (former Protea) "Almost 90 percent of all fast bowlers dvelop stress fractures in the back during their formative years. I lived on anti-inflammatories from grade 10, had a back op when I was in matric and I still have the 25 cm scar."

Jonty Rhodes (former Protea) "At the peak of my career I had to see a chiropractor for my back every week. I broke a finger twice trying to catch a fast ball, injured my thigh musle several times and often got whiplash from diving for the ball."

Graeme Smith (Protea captain) "I am clumsy in general and have often been injured on the pitch. The game has a big impact on your joints and sometimes the way you bend your body definitely isn't natural. Plus players are bowling harder and harder and bats are getting heavier."

For more information on specific sports injuries, visit the link below.

Cricket centre

Fitness centre