Umpire Paul Reiffel rushed to the hospital after blow to head

Mumbai: Umpire Paul Reiffel, who was officiating in the fourth India versus England Test in Mumbai, was rushed to the hospital on Thursday after a throw from Bhuvneshwar Kumar hit the back of his head.

The Aussie umpire fell on the ground after Bhuvi’s loopy throw from the deep caught him off guard.

Bruce Oxenford, who wears an arm guard in limited-overs cricket and who was the other on-field umpire, rushed towards Reiffel and provided him some shade with his hat.

The incident took place in the 49th over after Keaton Jennings dabbed R Ashwin delivery past square-leg umpire Reiffel.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was manning the deep square-leg area, lobbed the ball back towards Cheteshwar Pujara. While the throw was not powerful, it was too slow to go over Reiffel’s head.

The game was halted for ten minutes as the England team doctor and physio hurried onto the field to help Reiffel with basic medical care.

Fortunately for everyone, the former Australian cricketer-turned-umpire walked off the field with the help of England physio and doctor as the third umpire Marais Erasmus joined Oxenford in the middle.

While Nitin Menon was the reserve umpire for the game, Chettithody Shamshuddin was appointed to take over Erasmus’ duties as the third-umpire.