All past Australian and state cricketers are set to be given access to annual free heart health checks after a spate of distressing deaths and health scares rounded off by Ricky Ponting’s experience of chest pains while commentating on the Perth Test.

Senior industry sources told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald that the heart checks are expected to be included in the regular round of health assessments afforded to players by the Australian Cricketers Association, which had previously emphasised examinations for signs of skin cancer.

Australian cricket’s past player cohort amounts to around 1700 male and female cricketers. All have been given pause by the cardiac-related deaths of Dean Jones, Rod Marsh and Shane Warne over the past 18 months, alongside the near-death experience of the former Western Australian and Australia wicketkeeper Ryan Campbell.

Ponting, who was driven to hospital by Australia’s team doctor Leigh Golding on Friday after relating that he had felt chest pains and dizziness after a Test match commentary stint on Seven, said the episode had been another reminder to be careful.

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