The umpire that made global headlines after he was struck by a cricket ball has made a surprise admission about his ordeal.
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Senior umpire Tony DeNobrega took a full-blooded straight drive to the face while officiating a match on November 16.
It was a third-grade clash in the WA Suburban Turf Cricket Association (WASTCA) between North Perth and Wembley Districts at Charles Veryard Reserve.
DeNobrega copped what was described as a “brutal blow” when “a straight drive out of the screws hit Tony flush in the side of the face”.
“Spending the night in hospital Tony was fortunate enough not to have had any broken bones however the doctors are keeping him in under observation as surgery is not out of the question,” the WASTCA Umpires Association posted on Facebook.
“We wish Tony all the best for a fast recovery from this terrible incident and look forward to him being up and about shortly.
“The umpiring team is right behind you mate. Rest up Tony.”
DeNobrega ended up spending two nights in hospital and was incredibly fortunate to only suffer severe bruising and swelling from the scary incident.
He also avoided surgery, but still needs to see a dentist to check his teeth for damage and has understandably been struggling to eat or talk.
But the fact he avoided any broken bones or even the prospect of losing his eye left the 64-year-old feeling like it had actually been his “lucky day”.
“(My face) is still purple and swollen,” he told 7NEWS.com.au.
“It hit me just below the eye socket. Two centimetres 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.”
DeNobrega is in no rush to return to the field and is considering taking on an observational role, rather than being out in the middle.
WASTCA has reacted quickly and is now offering helmets to any umpires that would like one and DeNobrega will give that careful consideration.
“The fear of being hit again is so high,” he said. “I think (the option of a helmet is) important because the game has evolved.
“The bats are so much thicker now and even though (the WASTCA players) are not professionals, the batters still hit so cleanly.”
DeNobrega was flooded with well wishes on the WASTCA Facebook post, with one revealing: “Tony’s made of tough stuff, was still at the ground an hour later trying to get a second umpire to replace him. Good luck with the recovery!”
Another called it the “worst nightmare for an umpire”.
One commenter Chris Bilchuris said: “It was not a nice incident as I was officiating at square leg in the match … One of the most ‘brutal’ incidents I’ve seen in community cricket in all my years … speedy recovery T.D.”
De Nobrega is far from the only umpire to be seriously injured while officiating.
A long-serving 80-year-old umpire named John Williams died in Wales in 2019 after he was hit by a ball.
Remembered as a “gentleman of cricket”, Williams was placed in an induced coma but died weeks later.
In 2014, Israeli umpire Hillel Oscar was killed after a ball ricocheted off the stumps and hit him in the head.
Aussie umpire Gerard Abood has previously worn a helmet while umpiring in Big Bash League matches, while retired umpire Bruce Oxenford was well-known for wearing a plastic forearm shield.
Despite the horrific blow, DeNobrega has retained his love for the game, with umpiring allowing him to see some emerging Aussie cricketers up close.
“Umpiring is in my blood and it’s at the forefront of the game,” he said.
“I love the game.
“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.”
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