Introduction: In late 2014, batsman Phillip Hughes was hit in the neck by a bouncer and died 2 days later. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the options for cricket ball shock absorption at the neck and whether the current solutions are feasible. Materials and methods: The impact speed and the kinetic energy of the ball were photogrammetrically calculated from the match video. A library of impact absorber materials providing data on the optimal shock absorption point was used to select the best material for shock absorption based on an acceptable thickness and a maximum deceleration of 250 g according to the British Standard (BS). Result: The impact velocity on Hughes’ neck was 30 m/s, and the energy absorbed was 70 J. Using this energy and the mass of a cricket ball, no suitable material was found, either because of the unacceptable thickness (>0.7 m) or the deceleration (>1000 g). Using the data required by the BS (15 J and 5 kg), several solutions were feasible, with a thickness of 14–28 mm and a deceleration of 40–60 g. Conclusion: When testing energy absorbers, it is not only the impact energy that is important but also the speed or mass. Testing an absorber at 70 J and a mass of 0.156 kg gives a different result than at 70 J and a mass of 5 kg. Reducing the impact energy to 15 J only makes it worse. The test conditions of crash cushions shall be based on the worst realistic case. If not, the designed shock absorbers are suboptimal at best.