Umpire dies after being struck

An umpire died after being struck on the head by a ball during a league match in Wales on Saturday.

Alcwyn Jenkins, 72, was standing in the game between Swansea and Llangennech in Division One of the Antur Insurance South Wales Association at the St Helen's ground in Swansea.

He was struck by a throw from one of the fielders and was airlifted to hospital but died shortly afterwards. The match was later abandoned.

Neil Hobbs, honorary chairman of the South Wales cricket association, said: "I'm led to believe it was one of the most freak accidents you could ever imagine on a cricket field."

The ECB association of cricket officials (ECB ACO) also expressed their shock at the death. "We are all saddened by the news of the tragic accident at Swansea on Saturday," Roger Knight, the ACO chairman, said. "Alcwyn Jenkins was a highly respected umpire in the south Wales cricket community for the last 25 years and a valued member of the ECB ACO. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and our thoughts are with them at this sad time."