Mumbai: Hillel Awasker from Israel is not the only umpire who has lost his life following hit by a ball on the field of play, according to Sudhir Vaidya, the noted Indian cricket statistician.
"Five years ago one England umpire died tragically in similar situation", he said over telephone from Pune.
"Umpire Alcwyn Jenkins of England was struck on the head by a throw from one of the fieldsmen while officiating in Welsh Club Cricket match between Swansea and Llangennech at St Helens in Swansea in 2009. He was airlifted to a hospital but failed to recover and died on 4th July, 2009", he added.
S. K. Bansal, the ex-India umpire narrated an incident of an Indian umpire (Desh Raj) who was seriously ill after being hit by a ball. Bansal, the 75-year-old former umpire, who has officiated in six Test matches and 30 ODIs' believes that the use of helmets be made compulsory for on-field umpires.
"I have made this suggestion in many of my lectures and seminars but the authorities have not paid attention to it. Perhaps they may be wanting the proposal comes from the Western Countries first".
"The game of cricket has become very dangerous. 30-40 years ago, we didn't find so many sixes being hit by the batsmen. Now the bats have improved with a result we notice so many sixes are being eaaily hit. The power of the bat is so enormous and it has become very difficult for close-in fielders and umpires to officiate without helmets", he added.
"The wearing of helmet will not cause any discomforts to the umpires.If the batsmen can play with helmets on, why can't umpires discharge their duty with helmets", he asks. The umpires should not be ashamed of wearing helmets. They are not playing in dramas on grounds or they are not in beauty parlous that they can't wear protective gears".
"Now even the government has made it compulsory for the pillion riders to wear helmets along with two-wheeler drivers and day will not be far when it is made compulsory for the umpires", Bansal added.
