Cricket umpire breaks silence on how he came narrowly close to losing an eye following a horror accident during a match

A cricket umpire who was hospitalized after being hit ‘flat in the face’ by a ball has revealed he almost lost one of his eyes as he opened up about the horrific injuries he suffered.

Tone DeNobrega, 64, is a senior Australian cricket umpire and was overseeing a third grade match at the Charles Veryard Reserve in North Perth on November 16 when the shocking incident occurred.

The West Australian Suburban Turf Cricket Association (WASTCA) said a straight drive hit DeNobrega in the side of the face, blacking out the umpire for several seconds.

DeNobrega was on the non-striker’s end and had to spend two nights in the hospital.

He shared a horrific image of the aftermath of his injuries after being hit just below the eye, causing the side of his face to swell.

“Tony was fortunate not to have suffered any broken bones, but doctors are keeping him under observation as surgery cannot be ruled out,” the Umpires Association had said, before sending their best wishes to the umpire following the “terrible incident”. ‘.

DeNobrega (pictured) suffered a ‘straight expulsion from the screws’ and had to be rushed to hospital

Doctors were concerned the swelling could affect his breathing, with the referee having avoided surgery to drain fluid around his face after his condition improved before being discharged from hospital.

Speaking to 7News, DeNobrega has now opened up about the moment the ball hit him and the injuries he suffered, claiming he feels like he ‘won the lotto’.

“(My face) is still purple and swollen,” he told 7NEWS.com.au.

‘It hit me just below the eye socket. 2cm up and I could have lost an eye, it was very, very close.

‘I said it feels like I won the lottery. No broken bones, just swelling.

“It was my lucky day.”

He claimed he lost sight of the ball for a moment before falling to the ground. Incredibly, the referee had arranged for a replacement referee to take his place before leaving for hospital.

The swelling also causes the referee to have difficulty eating and talking. He goes to a dentist to have his teeth checked.

There have been calls for referees to be given more protective equipment, including helmets, with Bruce Oxenford (pictured) a referee wearing a protective perspex shield

Over the past two weeks since the accident, the swelling has slowly gone down, but DeNobrega still has large bruises on his face.

The incident comes amid concerns over the safety of cricket umpires. Some had responded to the Umpires Association’s Facebook post calling for the supply of helmets for umpires.

For DeNobrega, the accident hasn’t changed his love for the game, but it has increased his fear of getting hit again. He added that he will likely wear a helmet the next time he steps onto the oval.

“The fear of getting hit again is so great – I think (the helmet option) is important because the game has evolved,” he said.

“The bats are so much thicker now and even though (the players) aren’t professionals… the batters still hit so cleanly.”

‘The refereeing profession is in my blood and is at the forefront of the game. I love the game,” he said.

‘I’ve seen players like Cooper Connolly and Josh Inglis play as juniors and now they’re playing for Australia – you’ve got the best spot in the ground.’

WASTCA president Brad Pearce has said the organization has moved to provide helmets for any referee who wants to wear one.

“There aren’t many incidents, it doesn’t happen often, but it could be catastrophic,” he told 7NEWS.com.au.

“I think there will be genuine interest.”