Shocking decision by English Cricket Club as players banned from hitting sixes

In a shocking development, an English Cricket Club has banned its players from hitting sixes due to the complaints made by the neighbors of damage to their property. The club is one of the oldest clubs in English cricket and was formed in 1790.

The players from Southwick and Shoreham Cricket Club, which is near Brighton, have been strictly informed of the new rule that no runs will be given if the player hits a six. If the player hits a second six, he will be given out.

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Neighbours complain as English Cricket Club bans Sixes

It is believed that the English Cricket Club was forced to make this rule change due to the damage to the cars and windows of the residents. The residents living near The Green in Southwick, which is the home ground of the players of this club, lodged a complaint to the club.

According to the Daily Mail, a player was furious with the decision and argued that people should expect balls in the garden if they buy a house near a cricket ground.

“Everything is about health and safety these days and insurance companies are charging a fortune to indemnify sports clubs against accidental damage or injury to bystanders. If you buy a house next to a cricket ground, then you’ve got expect a few cricket balls in your garden,” the player was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

Another player termed the ban 'ridiculous' and argued it would take away all the joy of playing the game.

“How can you ban it? It’s ridiculous. To take that away removes the joy of it. I don’t agree that the rules should be tinkered with in this fashion,” the player said.

"It seemed a sensible thing to do" - Southwick and Shoreham Club treasurer

Meanwhile, the club's treasurer Mark Broxup defended the club's decision that the damage to the residents' properties was taking a heavy toll on the club's finances.

“We took the proactive decision to ban sixes at the ground after a few incidents in the past when cars, houses and even roofs were damaged. We don’t want to have to pay costly insurance or have any legal claims against us so it seemed a sensible thing to do,” Broxup was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

On the other hand, a local resident named Mary Gill welcomed the club's decision to ban sixes. She mentioned that the ground is too small and she and her family have always faced some damage due to the cricket ball.

“I’ve lived here all my life and I think the ban is a good thing. It’s a very small ground and can’t accommodate the testosterone-fuelled young men who come along and just want to hit the ball as far as they can," Mary Gill was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

“My parents and grandparents lived in this house before me and cricket balls were always sailing over and causing damage,” she added.