Safety concerns: ICC to provide helmets to umpires for World T20
Initiative taken to raise security of officials after two incidents of umpires being hit on-field
PHOTO: AFP
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to provide the umpires with helmets in the World T20 scheduled to be held in India from March 8.
The initiative has been taken to raise the security of the officials after two incidents of umpires being hospitalised by on-field injuries were reported in the past two months.
Australian John Ward was hit on the head in a Ranji Trophy match in December last year, while English umpire Richard Kettleborough received a nasty blow on the shin during the ODI between Australia and India in Cenberra on January 20.
The incidents incited a concern among umpires and Australian umpire Gerard Abood decided to wear a helmet in the Big Bash League recently. Ward, then, also adorned a head-saftey gear in an ODI.
"In the last three or four years, the fitness and the strength of the players has increased dramatically, and the bats are so much better than ever before, so the guys are hitting the ball a lot harder," Kettleborough was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au on Friday.
"We've seen some umpires being hit in recent times and it's becoming quite dangerous, certainly in T20 and one-day cricket especially."
Kettleborough added, "I know for the T20 World Cup we're all going to be issued helmets. We're not obliged to wear them, it's totally up to us, but it's certainly something I'll be taking on board and thinking about."
Moreover, Kettleborough said that the bowler and the non-striker were equally prone to probable damage.
"Our safety, as well as of the players, is paramount. The non-strikers are in danger too, as is the bowler in his follow-through, there's no doubt about that. It's only a matter of time before someone gets hit quite badly," he said.
The initiative has been taken to raise the security of the officials after two incidents of umpires being hospitalised by on-field injuries were reported in the past two months.
Australian John Ward was hit on the head in a Ranji Trophy match in December last year, while English umpire Richard Kettleborough received a nasty blow on the shin during the ODI between Australia and India in Cenberra on January 20.
The incidents incited a concern among umpires and Australian umpire Gerard Abood decided to wear a helmet in the Big Bash League recently. Ward, then, also adorned a head-saftey gear in an ODI.
"In the last three or four years, the fitness and the strength of the players has increased dramatically, and the bats are so much better than ever before, so the guys are hitting the ball a lot harder," Kettleborough was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au on Friday.
"We've seen some umpires being hit in recent times and it's becoming quite dangerous, certainly in T20 and one-day cricket especially."
Kettleborough added, "I know for the T20 World Cup we're all going to be issued helmets. We're not obliged to wear them, it's totally up to us, but it's certainly something I'll be taking on board and thinking about."
Moreover, Kettleborough said that the bowler and the non-striker were equally prone to probable damage.
"Our safety, as well as of the players, is paramount. The non-strikers are in danger too, as is the bowler in his follow-through, there's no doubt about that. It's only a matter of time before someone gets hit quite badly," he said.