Once hit, now wary: Umpire Ward wears helmet in Ind-Aus ODI

Hospitalised after being hit on his head during an assignment in India, umpire John Ward today wore a helmet while officiating in the fourth ODI between India and Australia here.

In the course of Australia's 348-run first innings total, it was not just the bowlers who ended up getting hit.

English umpire Richard Kettleborough was struck by an Aaron Finch drive in the sixth over of the innings and had to be taken off the field for medical care. Kettleborough was hit on his right leg.

Paul Wilson then joined Ward
in the middle. But perhaps rattled by the hit that Kettleborough took, Ward wore a helmet to protect himself thereafter.

Ward took preventive action after he had to be hospitalised following a hit on his head during a Vijay Hazare Trophy match in India in December last year.

The 39-year-old had been invited as an exchange programme umpire for that tournament.