VIDEO | Umpire âretires hurtâ as Glenn Maxwell labels him Victoriaâs best fielder
Umpire John Ward was labelled Victoria's 'best fielder' by Glenn Maxwell after 'saving' three runs and was forced off the field having been dealt a painful blow on the foot. Ward, who was caught in the firing line of a full-blooded sweep from Queenslandâs Sam Heazlett, was replaced by Donovan Koch.
The incident took place during the 19th over of Australiaâs domestic One-Day Cup clash between Queensland and Victoria. The visitors, who won the toss and batted first, got off to a flying start courtesy of Heazlettâs 88 and captain Usman Khawajaâs 138.
During the 19th over bowled by left-arm spinner Jon Holland, Heazlett got a sweet connection on the sweep and although Ward tried to evade it, he was struck flush on top of the foot. However, Ward stayed on the field until about the 24th over, by when his foot had swollen up, forcing him off.Â
Victoriaâs skipper Maxwell was micâed up and in conversation with the commentary box throughout the incident. With his bowlers going for plenty, Maxwell welcomed the efforts by the umpire at square leg to save his team a boundary. He went over to Ward to enquire if he was ok, wittingly persuading the umpire to stay on-field to help his teamâs cause.
Maxwell continued his quips with the replacement umpire Koch as he walked in. In the end, despite Wardâs best efforts, Victoria ended up suffering a 154-run loss.
