So the new summer season started the Saturday before last. In changing umpiring districts I was rewarded with the lowest level I have ever umpired in a serious Saturday competition. Hmmmm.
However all is not doom and gloom, the match was 15 minutes drive away from home and it was played in extremely good spirits despite one team being beaten outright. The wicket on the first day looked slightly under prepared but yielded over 300 runs. On the second day the wicket was grossly under prepared, hmmm, with the visiting team batting. It could not be called dangerous by any means. I have been a firm believer in wearing helmets and early on the second day a top order batsman has misjudged the length of a ball, gone forward instead of back, and has been hit on the right side of the head between his mouth and jaw bone. He was stunned and the swelling was immediate and large. He was helped off the field and off to the doctor. The team collapsed twice and things were all over early.
So no matter how good you think you are or how bad the opposition, always wear a helmet. It is not just smart, it is wise and prudent.
Note: last season in a First Division match a player had his nose smashed when he decided to temp a very good young left arm quick. The batsman was too 'good' to wear a helmet. He lasted three balls. Worst nose break I have ever seen from a crciket ball.
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Topic: The New Summer Season Starts. (Read 2981 times)