STRUCK BY BALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22823, 6 March 1936, Page 13

STRUCK BY BALL

UMPIRE KNOCKED OUT There was an unusual incident at, Eden Park, Auckland, on Monday morning in the third test match between Now Zealand and the M.C.C., when one of the umpires, Mr 0. R. Montgomery, was felled by a hard-driven ball. At tiic time of the incident Vivian was bowling to J. Hnrdstaff, the Nottingham batsman, whose score was 0(3. The batsman played several balls carefull v, and then lashed at one to send it hard back. It was a straight stroke, which might possibly have brought the batsman his century. Seeing the ball coming. Mr Montgomery, at the bowler's end, tried to step aside, but did not have time to do so, and was struck hard on the right shoulder, being knocked off his feet. The fieldsmp.il immediately ran to give assistance, and IlardstafT also came up. obviously concerned. Mr Montgomery lay on the ground for a minute or two, and there was applause when he was helped to his feet. He seemed shaken, but was able to carry on. A well-known umpire, Mr Montgomery officiated in the M.C.C. match against Auckland last week, and has also umpired in other first-class fixtures.