Pune’s George Bailey Thanks New Helmet After Bouncer Scare

Coulter-Nile knocked off Bailey’s helmet with a bouncer. (Photo: BCCI)

Australia’s George Bailey felt like he was “hit on the face with a truck” when a Nathan Coulter-Nile bouncer knocked his helmet off in the match against Delhi Daredevils in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.

In the seventh over of Pune’s reply, Delhi paceman Coulter-Nile, who made his Australia Twenty20 debut under Bailey in 2013, banged in a short delivery that deflected off his former skipper’s top-edge and smashed into the grille of the helmet.

The violent impact caused the tumbling headgear to partially disintegrate as it rolled wide of the stumps.

I think those watching on TV would get a better picture of it than I do, because what I sort of remember is me getting hit on the face with a truck that was pretty quick. But, I was pretty glad to have one of those new helmets on.  

George Bailey

Last week, Cricket Australia decided to make it compulsory for players to wear helmets against pacemen following a review into the death of Test batsman Phillip Hughes, who died in November 2014 after being hit in the head by a bouncer.

Coulter-Nile was seen apologising to his former captain while Delhi fielders also inquired about Bailey’s condition.

A couple of them were disappointed that the helmet hadn’t rolled on to the stumps. But, most people were just checking on me and how I was.  

George Bailey