Cricket umpire collapses in MPCA match

Players in a Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association match came to the rescue of an umpire who collapsed. The incident has prompted urgent new heat guidelines ahead of a scorching Sunday.

An ambulance had to be called to attend cricket umpire Russell Clothier, who collapsed in an MPCA game on Saturday.

The Mornington Peninsula cricket umpires association has issued urgent heat guidelines for all umpires ahead of Sunday’s round of one-day games in MPCA Provincial division.

With temperatures tipped to reach 37 degrees, it has informed umpires to take drinks break every 10 overs, and to “immediately rest or seek treatment” if feeling unwell.

The new measures come after umpire Russell Clothier had to be helped off the ground after feeling unwell and collapsing during the Pines-Long Island Provincial 1st XI match at Pat Rollo Reserve in Frankston North on Saturday.

Clothier was cared for by Pines captain Ricky Ramsdale and Pines football president Kim Jackson while an ambulance was called.

Ramsdale, who is trained in first aid, said it was a “pretty scary” situation.

“He put his arms up for a wide and couldn’t get them up,” Ramsdale said.

“The boys started helping him off the ground and he just collapsed. I’m a first aider so we rushed over and moved the marquee to get him in the shade and we got him ice.

“It was pretty scary.

“He was walking off and it was like someone broke his legs, he literally just fell.”

Clothier was taken to Monash Heart Centre and was resting on Saturday night.

“He text me last night saying ‘thanks for all your help, I really appreciate it’,’’ Ramsdale said.

Clothier was the only umpire in the match.

The game was held up for 45 minutes and when play resumed players umpired the game themselves.