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Umpire Paul Reiffel collapses after blow to head in Test

Former paceman was felled by a ball from the outfield.

Former paceman was felled by a ball from the outfield. Photo: ABC

Former Australian Test bowler Paul Reiffel has been forced from the field after receiving a nasty blow to the head while umpiring the India-England Test in Mumbai.

On day one of the fourth Test, Reiffel was felled by a ball thrown from the outfield.

He was forced from duty and has played no part in day two of the match.

Reiffel was standing at square leg during the second session when debutant Keaton Jennings, on his way to a ton in his first Test innings, turned a ball off his pads.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar trotted up to the ball and his throw towards square leg collected Reiffel in the back of the head.

https://youtu.be/Ty76ThnYp0o

Reiffel collapsed, holding the back of his head and was seen to by trainers on the field for about three minutes before being led away.

The ABC reports that Reiffel, 50, underwent a scan which did not reveal anything worrisome and he spent the day resting as South African TV umpire Marais Erasmus took his place, where he has remained on day two.

The Australian, who took 104 wickets in 35 Tests for Australia in the 1990s, could not take to the field on day two with Erasmus remaining in his place.

Umpire safety has had a light shone on it in the past few years after an umpire died when he was struck by a ball just days after the death of Test cricketer Phillip Hughes.

Since 2014, some safety measures have been trialled, with Bruce Oxenford, who is the other umpire in the Test match, donning a shield on occasion and John Ward wearing a helmet while umpiring in last year’s Big Bash League.

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