Israeli Cricket Umpire Hillel Oscar Dies After Being Struck by Ball

Israeli cricket umpire Hillel Oscar, a former captain of his nation's national team, has reportedly died after being hit by a ball whilst working a match in the city of Ashdod on Saturday.

Quoting the AFP, the BBC knows the 55-year-old was struck in the jaw after a delivery came off the bat, and despite the best efforts of medical personnel in the local hospital, all help came too late for the unfortunate Oscar.

The world of cricket is still recovering from the tragic death of beloved Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes, who passed away after being struck in the neck by a ball on Thursday.

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Most cricket associations around the world had cancelled the remaining matches for the coming days, but with just one match left to play in Israel's amateur league, the local association allowed play to continue.

The AFP was able to speak with the Israeli Cricket Association's chief Naor Gudker, as reported by the Daily Telegraph, who expressed the organisation's deepest condolences and confirmed the police were looking into the matter:

"

We're simply in shock. He was an international umpire. He officiated in European championships, he officiated in games in Israel: his future was ahead of him.

He was a player for the national Israeli team and he was captain of the national team.

We know a ball was hit in his direction, he tried to escape it, he fell - what happened there is still being investigated.

The entire Israel Cricket Association and players bow their heads in his memory. He was a wonderful man, cricketer, and umpire.

"

According to the BBC, initial reports regarding the incident were conflicting, with some claiming he suffered a heart attack after being struck in the chest, and others claiming the ball made contact in the head-area.

Gudker later confirmed Oscar was hit in the jaw, although it is still unclear what happened next.

Via its official Twitter account governing all regional cricket, the West Indies Cricket Board were among the first to express their condolences when news of OScar's passing broke:

FourFourTwo's Alex Chaffer couldn't believe the world of cricket could see two tragic incidents in such a short span:

Unlike Hughes, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident and was struck in one of the exposed areas around his head, Oscar, like most umpires, was not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.

Israeli police have ruled out foul play, according to the Daily Telegraph, but so far, little is known regarding the circumstances that led to the unfortunate accident, and how such tragedy may be prevented in the future.