Twitter Reaction: Umpire John Ward officiates with a helmet in the Aus-Ind 4th ODI

Published - 20 Jan 2016, 13:13 IST | Updated - 20 Jan 2016, 13:13 IST

2 Min Read

Umpire John Ward today wore a helmet while officiating in the 4th ODI between Australia and India at the Manuka Oval, Canberra. It was for the first time in an international match that an umpire walked out wearing a helmet. Incidentally, the 53-year-old Ward was the one who was hit on the head while officiating in a Ranji Trophy match between Tamil Nadu and Punjab in Dindigul in December 2015. Certainly that might be the reason why he took the decision.

Umpires safety has also become an issue in cricket these days due the chasing playing environment. Recently in Bengaluru, during the Vijay Hazare Trophy one-day tournament, Indian umpire Paschim Pathak wore helmet for Kerala-Railways match at Alur ground. More umpires might follow Ward and walk out wearing helmets.

Ward’s decision got some justification in the same match as his colleague Richard Kettleborough of England was hit on his right leg by a straight drive from opener Aaron Finch. Later, after 17 overs, Kettleborough left the field due to the injury. TV umpire Paul Wilson of Australia replaced him on the field.

Last year, former Australian umpire Simon Taufel had said on-field match officials might use helmets in the future.

“I wouldn’t’ be surprised in the future, if it continues the way it’s going, where umpires start looking at that (wearing helmets), but that’s an individual call they have to make. The nets are the most dangerous places for us now … (Virender) Sehwag, Gayle, Warner – they’re probably some of the biggest hitters of the ball and they just go into the nets to actually practice those shots.” Taufel was quoted as saying in New Zealand media in March 2015.

Outstanding fielding from umpire Kettleborough! Good to see him have a laugh after that… #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/PACr8EkgNd
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 20, 2016

Hope change of umpire changes Indian fortunes
Richard Kettleborough goes off and Paul Wilson comes in#AUSvIND
— #WWT20 (@WWT20Cup) January 20, 2016

Kettleborough had walked off the field at the end of the 17th over (was hit on shin in 6th over). Rahane injured his hand end of 20th over.
— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) January 20, 2016

Ajinkya Rahane, Bhuvneshwar Kumar & Umpire Kettleborough are out of the field for now.#AUSvIND
— Rahul Parmar (@ParmarRahuls) January 20, 2016

Injury to Richard Kettleborough prompts the question. With monster bats & big hits umpires are better off wearing:
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 20, 2016

Pic 1: When rest of the world bowlers are bowling
Pic 2: When Indian bowlers are bowling
. pic.twitter.com/zNCK6w6peu
— PhD in Bak*****!! (@Atheist_Krishna) January 20, 2016

https://twitter.com/AltCricket/status/689668698546819073

Great work from Finch to hit Kettleborough off the ground and get a local umpire in. #AdvantageAustralia
— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) January 20, 2016

https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/689679418399129600

The Indian bowlers even got Umpire Kettleborough injured. He has left the ground. What shite they are. Lol. #IndvsAus
— Forever United (@ProudRed82) January 20, 2016

Change of roles! Kettleborough walked off to tend to his shin, the 3rd umpire replaces him! The 4th umpire becomes the 3rd umpire! #AUSvIND
— NitishaTyagi (@TyagiNitisha) January 20, 2016

Richard Kettleborough is also not interested in watching Indian bowlers #IndvsAus
— HornySindhi (@HornySindhi) January 20, 2016

https://twitter.com/pattywilson9/status/689673252503879682

Umpire with the helmet? Nice. Finally. #IndvsAus
— Priyank J Shah (@priyankshah54) January 20, 2016

Usual: Australia off to a flier
Unusual: Umpire John Ward wearing a helmet
LIVE action here: https://t.co/eeHvXFiYQ3 #AUSvIND
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) January 20, 2016

Good morning! India to chase today! Good to see umpire John Ward on the field, wearing a helmet! #IndvsAus #AUSvsIND
— Nishad Pai Vaidya (@nishad_45) January 20, 2016