An umpire and former captain of Israel has died after being struck in the jaw by a cricket ball.

It has been reported that a fast delivery was driven back by the batsman before deflecting off the non-strikers' wickets and hitting the nearby official.

The news comes just two days after Australia batsman Phil Hughes died of a severe head injury sustained in a domestic match in Sydney.

Israeli police have ruled out foul play in the incident which led to the death of the umpire, who has been named by the Israel Cricket Association as Hillel Oscar.

ICA chief Naor Gudker told reporters: "We're simply in shock. He was an international umpire. He officiated in European championships, he officiated in games in Israel - his future was ahead of him.

"He was a player for the national Israeli team and he was captain of the national team. We know a ball was hit in his direction, he tried to escape it, he fell - what happened there is still being investigated.

"The entire Israel Cricket Association and players bow their heads in his memory. He was a wonderful man, cricketer and umpire."

Saturday's match was the last in Israel's league season.