CRICKET chairman Roger Weston says the tragic death of former Worcestershire batsman Phil Hughes could have an impact on the recreational game in the county.

Weston, who is the chairman of Worcester Cricket Club, believes administrators could consider making it compulsory for all adult batters to wear a protective helmet in club matches.

Hughes died in hospital yesterday from injuries sustained after he was hit on the neck, in an area unprotected by his helmet, by a bouncer playing for South Australia against New South Wales.

Hughes, who was at New Road in 2012, would have been 26 years old on Sunday.

Worcestershire League chairman Peter Radburn says the topic of protective helmets is likely to be discussed by the England and Wales Cricket Board, who govern the sport in this country.

Paul Fearnley, who runs Duncan Fearnley Cricket Sales in Worcester, thought a ‘neck collar’ could be the next step in batsmen safety.

Fearnley felt it would be wrong for people to jump to the conclusion that the accident was down to any fault with the equipment.

He added: “I have read that there have only ever been 100 recorded incidents like this and this was the first time that it had happened in a cricket match.”

Weston, who also runs Solitaire Cricket, said: “It doesn’t seem real that someone could die playing the sport they loved. He would have played short-pitched deliveries so many times.

“In club cricket now, all juniors under the age of 18 must wear a helmet when batting.

“What happened to Phil Hughes was a tragic, freak accident but it has happened and it is possible that batsmen might be told to wear a helmet when playing club cricket.

“We played in the Worcestershire League last season and all the lads in the first team have got their own batting helmets. Wearing a helmet is part of the game — you have the bat, pads, gloves and helmets.”

He added: “My lad Liam played for Southern District in Adelaide when he stayed in Australia and it was a bit like the standard of the Birmingham League — and Phil Hughes was playing for the opposition.

“It was a freak accident and I hope it doesn’t put people off from playing the game.”

Radburn said it was rare not to see batsmen wearing helmets, even in the lower Wor-cestershire League divisions.

“Phil Hughes’ tragedy will sober the mind and I think protective helmets is an area which will be very carefully discussed by the ECB in the next few weeks.

“As the Worcestershire League, we work closely with the Birmingham League and the playing rules and regulations which govern us come down from MCC and ECB.”