Bhuvi’s throw takes down umpire Reiffel

Tribune news service 

Mumbai, December 8

In a freak incident, umpire Paul Reiffel was accidentally hit on the back of his head by a throw from Bhuvneshwar Kumar today.

Reiffel, the former Australia paceman, was attended to by the England team physio and doctor for some 10 minutes. Third umpire Marais Erasmus took the field while Reiffel was taken to hospital for a precautionary scan, which cleared him of any serious injury. However, he was advised rest for the remainder of the day.

The incident took place in the 49th over of England’s innings, when Keaton Jennings nudged a Ravichandran Ashwin delivery past square leg. Bhuvneshwar picked the ball at deep square leg and threw it casually towards wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel. But the throw didn’t have enough power and the ball struck the back of Reiffel’s head. Reiffel fell down and looked in discomfort. He was replaced by Erasmus for the day and C Shamshuddin took over the role of the TV umpire.

In a first, no Mumbai player in Mumbai Test

For the first time ever, India are playing a Test in Mumbai without a player from the city in their playing XI. Although Mumbai pacer Shardul Thakur was included in the squad in place of Mohammed Shami, who missed the match due to a sore knee, he wasn't included in the playing XI.