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George Bailey says Nathan Coulter-Nile bouncer hit him 'like truck'

Bailey is an experienced Australia international
Image: George Bailey is an experienced Australia international

Australia's George Bailey felt like he was "hit on the face with a truck" when a Nathan Coulter-Nile bouncer knocked his helmet off in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Tuesday.

In the seventh over of Pune's reply, Delhi paceman Coulter-Nile, who made his Australia Twenty20 debut under Bailey in 2013, banged in a short delivery that deflected off his former skipper's top-edge and smashed into the grille of the helmet.

The violent impact caused the tumbling headgear to partially disintegrate as it rolled wide of the stumps.

Australia's Nathan Coulter-Nile in action
Image: Australia's Nathan Coulter-Nile in action

"I think those watching on TV would get a better picture of it than I do, because what I sort of remember is me getting hit on the face with a truck that was pretty quick," Bailey said after his team's 19-run victory.

"But, I was pretty glad to have one of those new helmets on."

Last week, Cricket Australia decided to make it compulsory for players to wear helmets against pacemen following a review into the death of test batsman Phillip Hughes, who died in November 2014 after being hit in the head by a bouncer.

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Coulter-Nile was seen apologising to his former captain while Delhi fielders also inquired about Bailey's condition.

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"A couple of them were disappointed that the helmet hadn't rolled on to the stumps," Bailey joked.

"But, most people were just checking on me and how I was."

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