Recovered cricketer returns to 'life-changing' crease (+video)

After being hit in the head with a ball nine months ago, Rotorua cricketer Karl McKnight is preparing to return to the crease where it happened for the first time since the accident.

Geyser City first XI will travel to take on fifth-placed Whakatane United at the rearranged venue of Mitchell Park, Tanearua, in the Western Bay of Plenty reserve grade on Saturday.

And it was in this exact location and fixture last season that McKnight suffered swelling to the brain when hit by a short ball delivery while batting in February. He was not wearing a helmet.

McKnight underwent brain surgery in Waikato Hospital and had a slow recovery - needing speech therapy and regular input from an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, and neurologist.

The Geyser City Cricket Club player, who returned to the team at the start of this season, said it would be an "eerie experience" returning to where the life-changing moment took place but added it was important to face up to his "mental demons".

"It was meant to be played at Rex Morepeth Park - but a last-minute change sees me heading back to where it all happened," he said.

"It's spooky. The incident feels like it was so long ago but it is very clear in my memory.

"I think I will be fine, obviously I am slightly apprehensive but there is also a feeling of excitement to get out there.

"I'm glad that I can face up to any demons I still have around it. I want to knock that bad memory out of the park."

In the Western Bay, every batsman now has to wear a helmet, as well as the wicketkeepers when standing up to the stumps, with the Rotorua Cricket Association working on implementing the same rule.

And when McKnight steps up to face the Whakatane bowling attack on Saturday he will have his helmet "firmly on" - an adjustment he described as "vital" and added the importance of other cricketers to wear helmets when both training and playing.

"For the whole of my cricket playing career I never wore a helmet but accidents happen and they can happen to anyone," he said.

"It has been a difficult adjustment because of the grill affecting my vision but I will always wear one now. There is no way that I would step out to bat without one on."

Bottom-of-the-table Geyser City go into the match lacking confidence and match play after their two previous games were cancelled due to bad weather and falling to four defeats so far.

But Geyser City cricket club chairman Mike Holmes said now was the perfect time to "turn their season around," due to the occasion and with just four matches remaining before the WBOPCA reserve grade first round title is decided.

"It is the first time for us and Karl to face up to Whakatane and it gives an added incentive to the team," he said.

"It would be nice to finish with four wins before Christmas and I don't think that is unrealistic. We've had a disappointing start but there is no better time to grab this season by the horns."

Meanwhile top-of-the-table Lake Taupo XI, travel to Fergusson Park to play Aquinas College in sixth - the big improvement side in this year's competition.

Third-placed Mount Maunganui must beat tenth-placed Te Puke at Blake Park to stay in contention in the title race.

Greerton in second place, will need to defeat ninth-placed Sikh Sports to cement their place in the top four.

And eight-placed Tauranga Boys' College take on league strugglers Cadets at the Tauranga Domain, with R&A Sangha likely to have a battle on their hands against Katikati.

Fixtures:

WBOPCA Western Bay of Plenty reserve grade:
Saturday, 12pm start.

Whakatane United v Geyser City first XI, Mitchell Park, Tanearua, Whakatane.

Mount Maunganui v Te Puke, Blake 1, Tauranga.

Sikh Sports v Greerton, Blake 2, Tauranga.

Cadets v Tauranga Boys' College, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga.

R&A Sangha v Katikati, Fergusson 2, Tauranga.

Aquinas College v Lake Taupo CC, Fergusson 3, Tauranga.

Points table: Lake Taupo CC 120, Greerton 94, Mount Maunganui 87, Katikati 80, Whakatane United 77, Aquinas College 72, R&A Sangha 71, Tauranga Boys' College 69, Sikh Sports 64, Te Puke 51, Cadets 41, Geyser City 35.

Rotorua/ Taupo senior reserve grade:
Saturday, 1pm start.

Eastern Pirates v Chance Cars Geyser City Reserves, Ray Boord Park 1, Rotorua.

BOP Indians CC Reserves v Taupo Schools 1st XI, Ray Boord Park 2, Rotorua.

Taupo Old Boys 1 v Central CC, Central Reserves, ODP 1, Taupo.

Taupo Old Boys 2 v GM Painters Lake Taupo CC 2nd Xl, Kaimanawa, Taupo.