Umpire Robs Pals With His Centre Stump

A village green umpire got hit in the privates...and it changed the result of the game.

Paul Smith was umpire in a match between two local teams in an East Sussex League.

Because it was a minor league game,there weren't any "proper" umpires and the players filled in when they weren't batting or fielding.

Paul had already batted and went out for his turn as umpire as the match reached its climax.

Three results were possible off the last ball of the game.

The opposisiton had scored 194 in their innings,and Pauls team's score stood at 192.If they scored one run off the last ball,they would lose,two runs would force a tie,and three runs would win them the game.

The batsman hit the ball well into the outfield and set off for what looked like a certain "three" to claim victory.

But as they were about to complete their second run,a fielder desperately hurled the ball towards the wicket,and it hit Paul in the crotch before he could jump out of the way.

The ball was offically declared "dead" as it dropped from anguished Paul's groin,so the second run didn't count - and the other team had won.

Paul,37,said "It was very embarrassing and painful.I fell to the ground in agony and it wasn't until after a short while I realised we'd lost the match."

Veteran batting pair Neil Kerrison and John Barker looked certain to complete the second run and get the third to seal victory had the ball not struck Paul.

Skipper Pat Layen said "It was very frustrating.Paul had only made ten with the bat for us earlier in our innings.

"Perhaps if he had had more impact by hitting the cricket ball at the crease when he was batting,than being hit by it while umpiring,we might have won.

"Needless to say,he has had to endure a lot of leg-pulling since the incident.It will now become legendary in the club's already long and proud history."

Paul's team-mate Mike Hegarty said "It was the funniest thing I've seen in cricket.None of us could believe it.It was a funny conclusion to a close game."

Paul,a carpenter,has fully recovered,but next time he has to umpire,he will take extra protection.

He said "You don't normally hear of umpires needing to wear a box! I must have looked like someone trying to get off a horse as I dived to get out of the way of the ball.

"I didn't really see it coming.I was standing behind the stumps and someone hurled it in and it bounced over them.

"It caught me right where it hurts and I went down.Everyone though it was a moment of high comedy in what had been a match of mickey-taking."

"The score ended up 194 for them and 193 to us,but I think they were all laughing too much to worry about it" he added.