Australian Umpire John Ward gets hit on his head during a Ranji Trophy match

Australian Umpire John Ward gets hit on his head during a Ranji Trophy match: A major tragedy took place during the Ranji game between Punjab and Tamil Nadu in Dindigul. Punjab’s Brainder Sran smashed a straight drive past left-arm orthodox spinner DT Chandrasekhar and the ball striked umpire John Ward on the back of his head.

Ward went down to the ground in pain and he was rushed to Apollo Hospital in Madurai, which was 40 kilometers away from the venue.

According to a report in ESPN Cricinfo, after being motionless for a couple of seconds, Ward got up and walked to the ambulance all by himself. His condition was declared stable and he was kept under observation for 24 hours. Tamil Nadu Cricket Association officials said there is no danger to his life.

The injury to umpire Ward, who has officiated in six one-day internationals, brings to light an incident involving Sydney-based umpire Karl Wentzel.

Wentzel is known as the “umpire who wears helmet” in Australia’s domestic circuit. He lost five teeth in 2001 when a ball hit him in the mouth. He was knocked out and required a series of operations that cost USD 44,000.

Last year, Hillel Oscar, an Israeli umpire, died when a ball ricocheted off the stumps and struck him on the head.

“Bats are massive now and are only going to become more powerful and the ball is pinging off them. Fortunately no-one has been badly hit,” he said.

Although Ward is out of danger, this incident has shown the perils umpires face on the cricket field. It has highlighted the need for umpires to be protected in an era where bat and ball can combine to injure and even kill.