Local cricket: Leading umpire Russell Clothier recovers from illness
“I couldn’t breathe”... A leading cricket umpire in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association talks about his battle with COVID-19
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Leading Mornington Peninsula cricket umpire Russell Clothier says he’s “all good and raring to go’’ after recovering from COVID-19.
He contracted it in April and spent three weeks in hospital.
He is fully recovered.
“My immune system is pretty good so I fought it off pretty quick,’’ Clothier said.
“All good. I’m raring to go, I want to get back to work.’’
Clothier, who is president of the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Umpires Association, said the illness started when he “was really crook’’ on a Friday night in April.
“I was laying in bed and I couldn’t breathe,’’ he said.
“I was really short of breath. I thought I had asthma. Then I got rushed to Sunshine hospital.’’
Clothier, though, had to deal with tragedy when he lost a friend to COVID-19.
“I recovered because I’m still fit enough but I lost a chef friend of mine,’’ he said.
“He passed away, he had major complications, and he was younger than me. I’m 54 and he was 50.
“It got hold of him and he was gone within a week.
“And people think it (COVID) is all bullshit, people think it’s a myth or a made up thing.
“I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.’’
Clothier is looking forward to returning to umpiring duties this summer after knee surgery last November ended his 2019-20 season early.
Cricket umpires will have extra duties this season due to strict COVID-19 protocols, including having to sanitize the ball every five overs.
Clothier said he was confident there would be enough umpires to stand in all First XI games in the MPCA.
“We’ve got 28. We need two more to cover all,’’ he said.
Umpires will also be required to wear a face mask this season — a ruling Clothier questions.
“I can’t understand why in Queensland and in NSW no player or umpire is wearing masks,’’ he said.
“So why is it that we have to?’’
MPCUA official and leading umpire Darren Holt said all umpires would be asked to complete a 30-minute online COVID instruction course ahead of the season.
“It costs you nothing and the information you gain from it, the knowledge and education is extraordinary,’’ he said.
Clothier said new umpires were welcome — it could be the start of a new career or a great way to stay involved in cricket after your playing days.
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