Pace ace: Fast bowlers like Andy Roberts first made their mark on batsmen in the early 1970s
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For those doubting the destructive power of a cricket ball to damage, both physically and psychologically, look no further than Luke Fletcher, the Nottinghamshire Outlaws bowler whose season was ended after he was struck on the head during a T20 match against the Birmingham Bears.
Fletcher, unusually, suffered the injury while bowling – his first ball of the match hit back at him by Sam Hain with such force that he was unable to take evasive action. It...