Just two days after the tragic death of Australian batsman Phil Hughes, an umpire in the Israeli town of Ashdod has died after being hit by a cricket ball.
Former national team captain Hillel Oscar, 55, was killed when a foul ball struck his jaw on Saturday. Medics were called but he had stopped breathing and was later pronounced dead at Barzilai Medical Center.
Oscar, center, was not wearing a helmet when he was hit
One player told Israel's Channel 10: "The ball flew in the direction of the umpire with great force, struck the wicket and hit him in the face."
Israeli Cricket Association chief Naor Gudker said: "He was an international umpire. He officiated in European championships, he officiated in games in Israel: his future was ahead of him."
Oscar's wife, Jenny, told YNet that the incident had occurred moments after a minute's silence for Australia batsman Phillip Hughes, who died in hospital on Thursday after being struck by a ball during a domestic first-class match in Sydney.
Cricket is not a professional sport in Israel but Ashdod is one of the main centres, where a large number of Jewish immigrants from India live. The fixture between Young Ashdod and Lions Lod was being played on the last day of the season.