A cricket umpire who spent two nights in hospital after he was struck by a ball says he feels like he “won lotto” because he only suffered severe bruising and swelling in the rare and terrifying on-field incident that has prompted change within community leagues.
Senior official Tony DeNobrega blacked out for several seconds when a full-blooded drive hit him in the face as he officiated a third-grade WA Suburban Turf Cricket Association (WASTCA) match from the non-striker’s end at Charles Veryard Reserve in North Perth on November 16.
His painful experience has been covered across the world and he said he had fielded appeals for interviews from journalists in several cricket-loving nations.
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DeNobrega, 64, told 7NEWS.com.au he lost sight of the ball for a very brief moment during the right-handed bowler’s follow-through and he was soon collapsed on the ground, surrounded by concerned players.
The hit was so clean even the bowler could not make the catch and the umpire of 12 years could not get out of the way fast enough.
He was hit just below the cheekbone and doctors say if the blow was any higher on his face he may have lost an eye.
With the swelling, he has been struggling eat, talk or even open his jaw and will see a dentist to check for teeth damage.
He is unsure how much feeling he will regain in the spot where he was struck and will revisit the doctor in a couple of weeks to check on the swelling and a clot that is slowly going down.
But having avoided any broken bones, he feels like he “won lotto”.
“(My face) is still purple and swollen,” he told 7NEWS.com.au.
“It hit me just below the eye socket — 2cm up and I could have lost an eye, it was very, very close.
“I’ve been saying I feel like I won lotto — no broken bones, just swelling.
“It was my lucky day.”
Incredibly, the injured official made calls to organise a replacement umpire before being leaving the oval.
He was then driven to hospital by his daughter to have scans to check for fractures.
Doctors were concerned the heavy swelling may impact his breathing and he was kept in hospital for two nights.
He was preparing for surgery to drain fluid from his face but was told at the last moment his condition had improved enough to avoid that procedure, before being discharged on Monday afternoon.
WASTCA chairman Brad Pearce said the association’s executive committee had moved quickly after the accident, with helmets to be bought for any umpire who would like to wear one.
“There aren’t too many incidents, it doesn’t happen often, but it can be catastrophic,” he told 7NEWS.com.au.
“I think there will be some genuine interest.”
Pearce described DeNobrega as “crucial” and is keen to see him back out in the middle when he is ready.
“He’s umpired at the highest level of community cricket. He can impart his skills and knowledge on the new umpires coming on,” he said.
DeNobrega is not likely to be back out on the field to hear nicks or answer LBW appeals until 2025, and may return slowly in an observational role, guiding less experienced umpires.
He said he is likely to wear a helmet next time he stands at the non-striker’s end.
“The fear of being hit again is so high — I think (the option of a helmet is) important because the game has evolved,” he said.
“The bats are so much thicker now and even though (the players) are not professionals … the batters still hit so cleanly.”
He said in recent times he had enjoyed nurturing the next generation of umpires.
“Umpiring is in my blood and it’s at the forefront of the game. I love the game,” he said.
“I’ve seen players like Cooper Connolly and Josh Inglis play as juniors and now they’re playing for Australia — you have the best seat in the ground.”