Safety at school cricket matches is to be reviewed by a London education authority following the death of schoolboy batsman Yasin Ghodiwallah, writes Nicolas Barnard.
Chest pads are one measure which may be considered by Newham Borough Council, East London, once an inquest into the 12-year-old’s death is completed.
Yasin, a pupil at Little Ilford Secondary School, died after he was struck in the chest by a ball bowled by a pupil from another school.
A spokesman for Newham council said: “We don’t yet know the cause of death. Before we make any judgment about what we can do, we must wait to see what the coroner says. But the school will see if there are any ways in which safety can be improved.
“If chest pads are needed, that is what we will do. But these are issues that have never been raised before.”
Two teachers supervising the game tried in vain to resuscitate Yasin. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Newham General Hospital.
The school held a meeting after the accident during which parents’ questions were answered and their fears were calmed.