A Village Cricket Match Turns Into a Lifesaving Mission

On a seemingly ordinary Sunday league cricket match in May, a group of village cricketers from Gloucestershire found themselves in an extraordinary situation – they were tasked with saving the life of their teammate who suffered a cardiac arrest on the field.

The incident occurred during a friendly match between Kingsholm CC and Corse Lawn CC. Phil Steers, a 68-year-old player for Kingsholm, had just finished bowling the tenth over when he felt unwell and decided to leave the field. Moments later, he collapsed outside the pavilion, his heart having stopped.

The swift response and unwavering courage of his teammates and opponents proved instrumental in saving his life. Shabir Kashoo from Corse Lawn CC, and Donna Cayless and Mark Didcote from Kingsholm, sprang into action. They took turns administering CPR to Phil, whose heart had stopped twice while ambulances were on their way.

A Test of Teamwork and Resilience

The trio worked tirelessly for 20 minutes, their determination fueled by the realization that every second counted. They managed to restart Phil's heart and keep it beating until paramedics arrived to stabilize his heartbeat. This was a testament to their resilience and their willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty.

Adding to the drama, the defibrillator kept at the nearby village hall failed when it was needed. The actions of Shabir, Donna, and Mark, especially Shabir who took the lead in administering CPR, were crucial in keeping Phil alive until help arrived.

Phil was rushed to the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital where surgeons implanted a permanent Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). After two-and-a-half weeks in the hospital, he began a rigorous cardiac rehabilitation program. Phil is now well on his way to a full recovery.

Gratitude and a Determination to Return to the Field

Speaking about his gratitude to the people who saved his life, Phil expressed his immense appreciation for their quick thinking and actions. He highlighted the contrast between learning CPR in theory and performing it in a real-life emergency.

“How do you repay that sort of act? You can’t really can you. So I’m really grateful to them for everything they did to help me on that day,” he said.

Phil's determination to return to the cricket field is inspiring. “I was aiming to be back playing this month but I’ve been told I need to wait a little longer, so I’m aiming for a return to nets in January and then would like to be fit enough to play in the same fixture in May next year which would be really nice.”

A Community United in Action

Shabir, a care worker, drew on his professional training to act instinctively when he realized Phil needed help. He recounted the terrifying experience of seeing his teammate collapse and the overwhelming feeling of having to act quickly. He attributes his composure to his care worker training.

“When he was lying on the ground, Donna started the CPR before I took over. I just kept going and going and going and didn’t stop. I don’t know where I found the energy from,” he said.

In recognition of their heroic efforts, Shabir, Donna, Mark, and Tim Ross-Smith, the Operations Officer at Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, joined Phil at a special presentation during a Gloucestershire Cricket match. The event showcased the incredible acts of bravery and teamwork that were displayed on that fateful day, demonstrating the true meaning of camaraderie in the cricket community.

This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of CPR training and the life-saving impact that timely intervention can have. It's a story that highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the extraordinary things that can be achieved when individuals come together in the face of adversity. The bravery of these village cricketers is a testament to the power of community, teamwork, and the desire to help others.

A New Season Awaits

While the season may have ended for Phil, he's focused on his recovery and looks forward to returning to the field. As for the rest of the cricketers, they will continue to play, their hearts filled with the spirit of the game and a renewed appreciation for the preciousness of life. This experience is a stark reminder that anything can happen on the cricket field and that every match is a gift.