Cricket is one of the games which must be played by taking precautionary measures to avoid getting hurt by the bat or the ball. Despite the safety equipment for batsmen, the field umpires are still vulnerable as they aren’t afforded anywhere near the same amount of protection on the field.
We see now and then that cricket umpires are being injured during the match mostly by the balls. It was evident once again in the 4th Test between India and England at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Australian Umpire Paul Reiffel was hit by a throw from the deep after he tried unsuccessfully to get away from the path of the throw.
He was looked dazed and was soon taken off the field to the hospital. Paul Reiffel was replaced by Marais Erasmus. It all happened in the 49th over of the England’s innings after Keaton Jennings clipped a length ball on the pads from Ashwin past the square leg umpire and into the hands of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
He just lobbed the ball gently towards the direction of the keeper. Unfortunately for Reiffel, the ball didn’t have enough pace to get to the keeper and instead hit him on the back of his head. As he was facing the pitch and not the direction from which the ball was coming from. He couldn’t see how the ball was coming.
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The England physio and doctor immediately rushed to the scene. The players immediately took drinks as Reiffel got some medical attention on the field after sitting up and eventually being taken off the field.