JON Clare missed Derbyshire's Pro40 League match against

Surrey yesterday at Queen's Park after having 11 stitches in a

head wound caused by an accident in a warm-up game of

football.

The 22-year-old all-rounder's scalp was gashed on the back

of his head by the studs of team-mate Wavell Hinds' boot in the

pre-match game as Clare tripped and fell but made an effort to

head the ball as Hinds closed in.

Cricketers playing other sports as part of their warm-up

routine has long been a bone of contention – and a regular

source of injury.

Glenn McGrath's participation in the 2005 Ashes series was

disrupted when he stepped on a cricket ball and turned his

ankle playing touch rugby, while England wicketkeeper Tim

Ambrose hurt his neck playing volleyball this season before a

day's play during Warwickshire's match at Derby.

But Derbyshire head of cricket John Morris said there would

be no change to his side's pre-game build-ups because of this

incident.

“It was a freak injury,” said Morris.

“He actually tripped over and, as he did, he tried to flick

the ball away with his head and Wavell's studs caught the back

of his scalp.

“The boys like a game of football before the start of a

day's play.

“It gets them going and sparks a bit of team spirit.

“If someone was hurt flying into a tackle, it would be

different but I see no reason to stop them playing football

because of an accident like this.

“What do you do – stop them taking fielding practise just in

case someone damages a finger?

“If you were scared of getting hurt you wouldn't get out of

bed in a morning.”

Morris also said he would not demand his players wear

ordinary training shoes in future.

“They wear studs because there is less chance of them

slipping over and getting hurt that way,” he added. “You cannot

win either way.”