Cricket umpire left unrecognisable with horror facial injuries but says he ‘feels like he won lottery’

A CRICKET umpire has been left unrecognisable after suffering horror facial injuries that left one side of his face swollen beyond recognition.

But brave Tone DeNobrega, who had to have fluid drained from his cheek and couldn’t eat or drink, has revealed that he feels “like he’s won the lottery”.

The West Australian Suburban Turf Cricket Association (WASTCA) said that a straight drive had caught DeNobrega in the side of the face, with the umpire blacking out for several seconds.

The 64-year-old was overseeing a third-grade cricket match at Charles Veryard Reserve in North Perth on November 16.

He was hospitalised after being hit “flush on the side of the face” by a ball.

The dreadful incident saw him almost lose one of his eyes and struggle to eat or drink, but he somehow avoided surgery.

The fact DeNobrega avoided any broken bones left the near- pensioner feeling like it had actually been his “lucky day”.

“My face is still purple and swollen,” he told Aussie outlet 7News.

“It hit me just below the eye socket. Two centimetres up and I could have lost an eye, it was very, very close.

“I’ve been saying I feel like I won Lotto — no broken bones, just swelling. It was my lucky day.”

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He claimed to have lost sight of the ball for a moment before he collapsed on the ground.

Incredibly, the official had organised a replacement umpire to take his place before heading off to hospital.

DeNobrega had been stood at the non-striker’s end and was forced to spend two nights in hospital.

He shared a gruesome picture of the aftermath of his injuries with his cheek massively swolen.

DeNobrega is in no rush to return to the field and is considering taking on an observational role, rather than being out in the middle.

WASTCA has reacted quickly and is now offering helmets to any umpires that would like one and DeNobrega will give that careful consideration.

He added: “The fear of being hit again is so high — I think the option of a helmet is important because the game has evolved.

“The bats are so much thicker now and even though the players are not professionals… the batters still hit so cleanly.’

“Umpiring is in my blood and it’s at the forefront of the game. I love the game.”