An umpire and former captain of Israel’s national cricket team died on Saturday after being hit by a ball, just two days after the death of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes due to a freak head injury left the sports world reeling.
The Israel cricket association said Hillel Oscar died after being hit by a ball which had just been struck by a batsman.
Oscar, 55, was officiating in a match in the southern port city of Ashdod.
ICA chief Naor Gudker told Saturday’s game was the last in the national league season.
“We’re simply in shock,” he said from the hospital where Oscar was pronounced dead.
“He was an international umpire. He officiated in European championships, he officiated in games in Israel: his future was ahead of him,” Gudker said.
“He was a player for the national Israeli team and he was captain of the national team.”
Police said they were investigating his death.
“We know a ball was hit in his direction, he tried to escape it, he fell — what happened there is still being investigated,” Gudker said.
“The entire Israel Cricket Association and players bow their heads in his memory. He was a wonderful man, cricketer, and umpire,” Gudker said.
Israeli police have ruled out any foul play in the incident.
