Australian umpire Paul Reiffel is not a fan of umpires wearing helmets during a Test match.
Reiffel was hit on his head by a throw during the fourth Test between India and England at Mumbai.
Fortunately, scans cleared him of any injury as he sat out the rest of the Mumbai Test as a precaution.
Reiffel, in an interview with Fairfax Media, mentioned that wearing a helmet during an entire Test match would take too much effort from umpires. He called the thought ‘impossible’.
“It would be too heavy and too hot, five days with a helmet on, it just would be impossible. It’s hard to hear [with the helmet on]. I’ve put one on and thought ‘could I umpire in this?’, and I thought I’d really struggle,” he said.
Umpire Paul Reiffel who got hit by a ball yesterday is advised rest,he has been replaced by Marais Erasmus for rest of the test:ICC #INDvENG
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 9, 2016
The former Australian fast bowler added that it was his own mistake at the Wankhede Stadium as he did not keep his eyes on the ball. He feels such incidents can be avoided if umpires do not relax like he did.
“Always keep your eye on the ball. I just didn’t do it. I feel a bit silly not doing that. It’s like playing; if you watch the ball you should come out all right. It was just an accident. I’d back myself to get out of the way if I see it coming,” the 50-year-old said.
“I must have relaxed and expected him to throw it to the keeper over my head and he decided to throw it halfway to the fielder. He got it wrong and hit me on the back of my head. It got me behind the ear and hit me flush, that’s what’s done the damage.”
