A reminder of the potential hazards for cricket spectators came on Saturday night at North Sydney Oval when a boy was hit in the face after a ball struck by Sydney Sixers gun Ellyse Perry bounced into him during a WBBL clash between the Sixers and the Melbourne Stars. The boy was taken to hospital but was released that night, and is believed to be recovering well. Perry showed immediate concern, checking his condition after the blow.

In accordance with CA's ticket and entry conditions, fans waive the right to take action against the game's governing body for injuries suffered at venues including those that come because of a "collision with a cricket ball". CA also has public liability insurance.

CA takes measures at stadiums that are aimed at minimising injuries and ensuring vigilance from fans. "The safety and security of any fan, player, employee or official at Cricket Australia-sanctioned matches is our number one priority," a CA spokesman said.

"As most fans are aware, balls can stray off the playing field into the stands. At all our matches, we continually warn fans of this hazard through PA reads with accompanying vision screen graphics as well as targeting bays likely to be affected during warm-up drills.

"We provide education of certain shots over the PA system and vision screen, particularly with a 'free hit' with the sounding of the siren, and then utilise the siren when a free hit occurs.

"Finally, all of our event staff are briefed of this risk at pre-match briefings to appropriately assist fans at the ground."

While CA says safety is its first priority, it is wary of being overly conservative. In particular, CA hasn't drawn a line through promotions encouraging fans to catch sixes, despite the risks that come with spectators jostling to snare the ball, which include falling off seats or even tumbling from a stand.

CA approved a promotion sponsored by beer brand XXXX which offers fans sitting in the lower tier of grounds $10,000 if they catch a six while wearing a specially marked gold cap during this summer's Ashes series.

These sorts of promotions have been relatively common. In 2015, a Canberra man needed surgery after breaking his finger while claiming a catch during a BBL game at Manuka Oval. He was wearing a KFC bucket hat, with the fast food giant having offered prizes for fans who caught sixes while donning the hat.

Big Bash teams have also offered prizes in past seasons to fans who catch sixes.

Fan safety is to varying degrees an issue in most spectator sports. Fans catching foul balls and home runs is a tradition in American baseball, however injuries occur spasmodically, including a much-publicised case this year in which a toddler was hurt by a ball at a New York Yankees match.

In the AFL, nets are hung behind the goals during pre-match warm-ups, a period in which several footballs often fly into the crowd simultaneously. Other risks for spectators listed by CA in its terms of entry include falling on stairs or escalators, sunburn and acts of violence from other spectators.

Perry spoke of her concern for the boy after the Sixers' win. "It's never nice to see someone get hit in the head ... I really hope he is OK," she said.

"He seemed like a tough cookie. I caught sight of it when it landed, it hit the concrete and kicked up. My immediate reaction was to go and make sure he was OK."