Observer Comment: Hats off to life-saving cricketers

However, training became reality for Bexhill cricketers Hamish Russell and Jamie Bristow-Diamond last week, when opposing batsman David Tungate suddenly collapsed after a ball hit him in the chest.

The pair’s quick thinking and knowledge of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) kept a potentially tragic accident well under control before ambulance crews could reach the scene.

Hamish and Jamie have rightly been praised by the ambulance service for their actions, which helped save the young batsman’s life.

One never knows what is around the corner, and this incident shows how useful a proper grounding in a skill such as first aid can be.