A HOME owner living next to a cricket pitch in Taunton fears someone could get seriously hurt if big-hitting batsmen continue to smash balls into neighbours’ gardens.

A spokesman said the club is aware of health and safety but you risk balls landing in your property if you decide to move in next to a sports ground.

Vernon Sear says, last season, six balls ended up in gardens in Taunton’s Calway Road, which overlooks the Wyvern Club, home to the Taunton St Andrew’s club.

Mr Sear, who moved in six years ago, said: “Someone’s going to get injured.

“There was a near-miss last summer when a bail hit a hand rail just four inches from a woman we were talking to – it would have caused a massive injury if it hit her.

“Balls came over six times last season and twice they broke windows.

“I’ve met a club official who thinks they’ve done enough risk assessment.

“They’ve got a net that’s meant to stop balls coming over, but it’s only eight feet high – I’ve suggested they raise it to 14ft.”

St Andrew’s chairman Richard Brice said the club is looking into possibly putting a higher net along the boundary of the Somerset County Council-owned ground to try to stop players slogging balls into the gardens.

“Around 10,000 balls were bowled from that end last season – only six ended up in the gardens,” said Mr Brice.

“It’s an awkward situation and Mr Sear says he wants the nets to be even higher, which we’re looking into.

“The club play high level cricket in the West of England Premier League and we were there long before Mr Sear moved in.

“I’ve been round to have a chat but only half a dozen balls from all the games played there last summer went into the gardens.

“Yes, it could hit somebody, but we’re very aware of health and safety.”

Ironically, Mr Brice said he “went down like a sack of spuds” after a ball hit him on the side of the head during a training session last season.