IND vs AUS: Canberra may witness umpire with helmet

Mumbai: The fourth ODI between India and Australia (at Canberra) is likely to witness the first ever incident of an umpire officiating wearing a helmet in an international match.

“John Ward is scheduled to umpire the ODI in Canberra and is expected to wear the helmet,” said Karl Wentzel – an Australian umpire who has been using the protective headgear in domestic circuit.

Few weeks ago, the 54-year-old Ward, during last tour of India, was seriously injured after being struck on head by a shot from Barinder Sran during a domestic match and was hospitalised.  

"He umpired a Big Bash League fixture last Saturday in Sydney which was his first since the injury. He wore a helmet during the match,” Wentzel added.

Interestingly, Sran is also in the touring team and has featured in all the matches so far.

The subject of umpire safety has received a great deal of attention after players getting frequently injured.

Former Israel captain Hillel Oscar lost his life while umpiring after a ball struck him on his neck few months ago.

Simon Taufel, the former ICC umpire and the coach of the umpires, is in favour of umpires using the protection.