Cricket umpire dies after hit in the face with ball

JERUSALEM — Israeli police says a 60-year-old man has died after being struck in the face by a ball while working as an umpire at a cricket match in the coastal city of Ashdod.

Police spokeswoman Luba Samri says the man was hit by a ball during a league game Saturday and that no foul play was suspected. He was evacuated to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Saturday’s accident comes just two days after professional Australian cricket player Phillip Hughes died from injuries he sustained after being struck by a ball.

Witnesses told Israeli media a batsman struck a ball and it rebounded off the stumps to hit the umpire, who was not wearing protective gear.

Cricket remains a niche game in Israel and played mostly among a tight-knit group of expatriates.