VETERAN umpire Lindsay McGrath was bowled over and despatched to hospital with a broken leg after an on-wicket collision at Camperdown showgrounds on Saturday.
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The 73-year-old was moving into position as Bookaar batsmen were running between wickets when he was accidently knocked to the ground.
Play was suspended until an ambulance crew took him to Camperdown hospital and then to Colac hospital for assessment.
Yesterday he underwent surgery in Geelong to fix his broken tibia, but is expected to be out and about in time for his birthday on December 29.
“He’s a trooper, so it will be hard to keep him down,” his daughter Glenda told The Standard yesterday. “Dad lives and breathes cricket.
“He’s a life member of South West Cricket, the former Timboon district association and the Victorian 60-and-over association.
“He’s been playing cricket since he was 14.”
Mr McGrath was umpiring in the South West Cricket division one match between Bookaar and Heytesbury Rebels which turned into a run-fest.
The Rebels set a target of 283 which Bookaar reached with ease, led by Fraser Lucas not out on 114 and his brother Eddie scoring 93.
Association secretary Grant Myers said in the heat of competition batsmen and umpires were focused on the action and occasionally they bumped.
“Lindsay’s a fit man and will bounce back,” Mr Myers said. “He was supposed to be in Melbourne today playing in the over 60s competition, which he does every fortnight.”
