BBL 15: Gerard Abood becomes first Australian umpire to wear safety helmet
History was made in the KFC Big Bash League match between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers at Etihad Stadium as Gerard Abood became the first Australian umpire to wear a batting helmet due to safety concerns, reports cricket.com.au.
Abood donned a black Masuri Vision Series model helmet, which is worn by many Australian players admitted that he had been contemplating wearing some protection for his head ever since fellow Australian official John Ward sustained a blow to the head during a Ranji Trophy match between Punjab and Tamil Nadu in Dindigul on December 1.
"I've had close shaves in the past, a couple have been real tight and they weight on your mind," Abood said. "I thought, 'What needs to happen before we do put one on?' I'd rather put one on just before I get hit than just after.
"TheT20 game has evolved to the stage where guys are practising specifically whacking balls as hard as they can and it's just coming off faster and faster. As far as I'm concerned it's just reached the point where it makes sense on every level, we're only 24 yards from the bat and if it's coming back at us pretty quickly there's not a helluva lot of time to move."
Ward was hit on the head by Barinder Sran, who was recently called up for India's ODI squad for Australia, and is currently recovering from the concussion and Abood admitted that was at the back of his mind.
"That brought it into sharp focus for me," Abood said. "One of our top guys has been sconed and hurt quite badly. The cricket landscape has also changed in the past 12 months (since Phillip Hughes' death) from ifs and buts to the fact that it can happen.
“It's time for someone to wear one and have a look at it.”
Last November, Hillel Awaskar, an Israeli umpire with Indian roots, died after being hit by a ball while officiating a match. Although there isn’t a specific helmet or protective wear for umpires, Abood said he had no problems in using helmets designed for batsmen.
“We looked at the possibility of a baseball-type mask or a dome helmet, but I think they press against the face too much," he said. "A batsman's helmet is not completely foreign to most blokes.
"It may not be ideal but it's certainly a good way to get the discussion started and keep the momentum moving forward with the development of umpire-specific protection."
Abood also added that his move to wear one on live TV might help others follow suit.
"I think it’s a start, it will get the discussion happening and what I hope is everyone who is currently contemplating it will find it a bit easier to do once someone in the BBL has done it on television.”
Indian umpire Pashchim Pathak, who was at square-leg when Ward got hit, became the first umpire to wear a helmet, when he wore one in a Ranji match.