Helmets for umpires!

"I guess it's only a matter of time before you see us using those," said Australian umpire Daryl Harper.

"The bats are getting heavier, the shots are hit with more ferocity. I can bet umpires have to be very careful," he said, suggesting a baseball helmet with a full face cover would act as a good form of protection.

Cricket's newest format is gaining popularity because of the frequency of big hits and Harper said this was putting umpires at greater risk due to their proximity to the batsman.

"I was talking about this to some of the other umpires and they were also of the same opinion. Given the pace with which some of the players hit those shots, it's becoming really dangerous for us. In one of the games, Sanath's shot hit me so hard that I was feeling breathless for a while. And Hayden's hits have brushed my ears a few times as well,” he said.