Posted: 27 Nov 2024 04:14 EST | Updated: November 27, 2024 04:18 EST
A cricket umpire who was hospitalized after being hit in the face by a ball has opened up about the horrific injuries he suffered, revealing he almost lost an eye.
Tone DeNobrega, 64, is the chief umpire for Australian cricket and was overseeing a Grade 3 match at Charles Veryard Reserve in North. perth On November 16th, a shocking incident occurred.
The Western Australian Suburban Turf Cricket Association (WASTCA) said the straight drive hit DeNobrega on the side of his face and knocked the umpire unconscious for several seconds.
DeNobrega was left at non-striking end and had to spend two nights in the hospital.
He shared gruesome photos of the aftermath of his injury, which showed the side of his face swollen after being hit just below the eye.
The Umpires’ Association said, “Tony was lucky not to have any broken bones, but surgery is not impossible, so doctors are observing him.” ‘.
Perth referee Tony DeNobrega was hospitalized after being struck in the face by a ball during a match last weekend.
DeNobrega (pictured) was taken to the hospital after being hit by a ‘screw being driven straight in’.
Doctors were concerned the swelling could affect his breathing and the referee reportedly avoided surgery to drain fluid around his face until he was discharged from hospital after his condition improved.
In an interview with 7News, DeNobrega now says he suffered the injury the moment the ball hit him and claims he felt like he ‘won the lottery.’
‘(My face) is still purple and swollen,’ he told 7NEWS.com.au.
‘It hit right below the eye socket. It was very, very close to the point where if I raised it by just 2cm I could lose my eye.
‘I used to say I felt like I won the lottery. The bone does not break, it just swells.
‘It was a lucky day.’
He claimed he lost sight of the ball for a moment before falling to the ground. Amazingly, the official organized a substitute referee to take his place before heading to the hospital.
The referee is also having difficulty eating and talking due to swelling. He will see the dentist for a dental examination.
There have been calls for umpires to be provided with stronger protective equipment, including helmets, with umpire Bruce Oxenford (pictured) wearing a protective windshield.
Although the swelling has slowly subsided over the past two weeks since the accident, DeNobrega still has large bruises on her face.
The incident occurred amid concerns over the safety of cricket umpires. Some responded to a Facebook message from the Umpires’ Association asking for helmets to be supplied for referees.
For DeNobrega, he said the accident didn’t change his love for the game, but it did increase his fear of getting hit again. He added that he will likely wear a helmet next time he takes to the oval.
‘The fear of getting hit again is so high. ‘I think (helmet options) are important because the game has evolved,’ he said.
‘Now bats have become too thick, and even if (players) are not professionals… The batsmen still hit cleanly.’
‘Refereeing is in my blood and it’s at the forefront of the game. “I love games,” he said.
‘I watched players like Cooper Connolly and Josh Inglis play as juniors and now play for Australia. You have the best seat on the ground.’
WASTCA chairman Brad Pearce said the organization had decided to supply helmets to all referees who wanted to wear them.
“There aren’t many accidents and they don’t happen very often, but they can be catastrophic,” he told 7NEWS.com.au.
‘I think there would be genuine interest.’
