Tony de Nobrega, a respected cricket umpire in the Western Australian Suburban Turf Cricket Association (WASTCA), was hospitalized over the weekend after being struck in the face by a powerful straight drive during a third-grade match. The incident occurred at Charles Veryard Reserve during a game between North Perth and Wembley Districts.
De Nobrega, though injured, was fortunate to escape without any broken bones. He remains under medical observation, with doctors not ruling out the possibility of surgery. The WASTCA Umpires Association extended their support through a Facebook post, stating:
“Spending the night in hospital, Tony was fortunate enough not to have had any broken bones; however, the doctors are keeping him under observation as surgery is not out of the question. We wish Tony all the best for a fast recovery from this terrible incident and look forward to him being up and about shortly. The umpiring team is right behind you, mate. Rest up, Tony.”
This incident highlights the risks faced by umpires in cricket, particularly in lower grades where safety measures may not be as advanced. While injuries to umpires are rare, history has shown their potential severity. In 2019, Welsh umpire John Williams tragically passed away after being struck by a ball, and in 2014, Israeli umpire Hillel Oscar suffered a fatal injury from a ricochet off the stumps.
To address these risks, many international umpires have adopted protective gear. Australian umpire Gerard Abood has opted for a helmet in Big Bash League matches, and Bruce Oxenford famously developed a forearm shield to deflect high-speed balls, inspired by a similar incident where his colleague was injured. Oxenford remarked:
“There’s been talk of helmets, but I don’t want to wear one because I think it will restrict my peripheral vision and hearing. I thought, ‘What if there’s something like an extended arm guard which would act as a shield?'”
The cricketing community, from grassroots to the professional level, continues to seek solutions to enhance umpire safety on the field. Meanwhile, Tony de Nobrega’s colleagues and the wider cricket community wish him a speedy recovery.
