5 instances in World Cricket when umpires became fielders

Umpire Richard Kettleborough gets hit on the shin by an Aaron Finch shotUmpiring in a cricket match is by no means an easy job. Long hours of standing on the field and keeping a watch on the proceedings can take a toll on an umpire’s body. To add to it, there is always the risk of getting injured by the ball, whether it is through a shot from the batsman or a throw from the fielders.The most recent instance of an umpire unknowingly fielding the ball and hurting himself in the process came during the 4th ODI of the ongoing series between India and Australia. A straight drive from Aussie opener Aaron Finch missed the stumps by a whisker and crashed into umpire Richard Kettleborough’s shin.Here are 5 other incidents where the umpires were forced to become fielders:

#1 Umpire Steve Davis stops a certain boundary

Umpire Steve Davis gets hit in an embarrassing manner

Perhaps one of the funniest incidents of an umpire accidentally fielding the ball took place in an ODI series between Pakistan and West Indies in the year 2013. In the 4th match of the series, Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq smashed one straight down the ground in the direction of the umpire.

Umpire Steve Davis, who was officiating in the game, tried to take evasive action but it turned out to be futile as the ball crashed against his posterior. Davis, however, took the incident quite sportingly and carried on with his job.

In the process of being hit, the burly umpire had managed to stop what would have been a certain boundary.

#2 Umpire Marais Erasmus gets hit on the arm

Umpire Erasmus gets in the way of a smashing drive

India’s 2014/15 tour to Australia saw yet another incident of the umpire in the way of a shot hit by the batsman. In the 2nd Test at Brisbane, an Umesh Yadav delivery was smashed straight back past the bowler by Mitchell Starc.

However, instead of going to the fence, the ball hit umpire Marais Erasmus bang on his right arm. Although Erasmus tried to laugh off the event, it was clear that he was hurt and he was forced to apply an ice pack for quite some time.

Had the ball not hit the umpire, it would surely rocketed to the fence for a four.

#3 Umpire Peter Parker tries to catch the ball

Umpire Peter Parker loses his hat while trying to take a catch

Instances of umpires unknowingly fielding the ball have also occured in domestic cricket. During a one-day match between South Australia and New South Wales, umpire Peter Parker was standing at square leg when a slog sweep by the batsman came flying in his direction.

In the spur of the moment, Parker attempted to catch the ball, which hit his hand and flew to the fence. He also managed to lose his hat in process even as the players and his fellow umpire continued to have a laugh about the incident.

This, however, was an unsuccessful fielding effort by umpire Peter Parker as the boundary was conceded.

#4 Umpire BC Cooray gets hit in a World Cup semi-final

Umpire BC Cooray suffers a blow on the head

One of the most momentous occasions on which an incident of the umpire getting hit by the ball has happened was the 1996 World Cup semi-final between Australia and West Indies. A slog sweep by West Indies captain Richie Richardson smacked Sri Lankan umpire BC Cooray on the back of the head.

While everyone thought that he would go down, Cooray proved to be a tough nut as he rubbed his head for a while and got back to business. It was a closely contested match with Australia winning by just 5 runs, 2 of which can be attributed to the umpire’s fielding effort.

#5 Umpire Gary Baxter fails to get out of the way

Umpire Gary Baxter gets battered on his wrist

It was an ODI match between Bangladesh and New Zealand in the year 2007. Looking to accelerate towards the end of the innings, Bangladesh tail-ender Abdur Razzak flicked a full toss towards square leg and managed to strike umpire Gary Baxter.

Baxter was attempting to get out of the way of the ball, but he was slightly late and got hit on his wrist instead. The umpire was left wringing his wrist for a while, however, he resumed his job quite quickly.

However, umpire Gary Baxter was quite successful in saving at least 3 runs for the Kiwis.