By Jonathan Leask   February 4, 2012

It is almost a miracle that Englishman Jimmy Watling is in New Zealand playing cricket, let alone still breathing.

He was hit by a truck in March last year.
“I was just a pedestrian walking along and a truck hit me,” Watling said.
“I can’t remember it at all. I’ve been told the truck hit me and I bounced off head first into some metal guard railings.”
The crash left him in a serious condition, one that upon his arrival at the hospital the doctors had told the police not to go too far, he probably would not make it.
“I had 14 fractures to my skull, a broken forehead, a fractured eye socket, a broken jaw, a broken nose, a brain bleed, a fractured shoulder, six broken ribs and punctured lungs.
“I spent two weeks in a coma.”
He survived the crash and although still suffering from the effects he made a speedy recovery.
“They told me I would spend six months in hospital recovering and I walked out after four weeks.
“I still get headaches and wake up aching sometimes, but other than that I’m fine.”
His miraculous recovery saw him return to playing club cricket in England for his East Leeds Club last season alongside Jeff Naish, who he followed to Ashburton to play for Allenton in the local senior competition.
“I managed to get in a few games last season and then decided I would come to New Zealand and do some travelling and play a bit of cricket.”
He is still suffering lingering effects of the accident but his sights are set on a full return to captaining East Leeds in England in the coming season.
“The doctors have predicted it will be two years before I’m back to normal and all the pain is gone.
“Cricket is a bit more serious back home. We have ex-professionals and some current professionals walking around the leagues.
“Over our season in England we play more than 50 games so the more relaxed nature of cricket here is a great way to get back into it and I’m not keen on overdoing it.
He is in Ashburton until the end of the season, a top order batsman and off spin bowling option for Allenton but also lent his expertise to the Mid Canterbury year 9s in January.
“I took the year 9 team to tournament which was pretty fun and have been playing for Allenton.
“I managed probably 100 odd runs in the twenty20 matches before Christmas but haven’t fared that well so far, but there are a few games to go before I head home.”
He is still not 100 per cent but considering the extent of his injuries, Watling counts himself lucky to still be able to play the game he loves.
“I’m just happy to be able to be playing cricket considering what the outcome could have been.”