Hilton Cartwright was taken to hospital on Sunday night after the Melbourne Stars batsman appeared to suffer a neck injury during the Big Bash League opener at Optus Stadium.
The 32-year-old middle-order batsman had been fielding at deep spot when Perth’s Cooper Connolly hit the ball towards him.
Cartwright appeared to dive to save the boundary as the ball headed towards the rope but fell to the ground with some force.
He initially appeared to curl up on the ground while clutching his head.
Teammate Marcus Stoinis was the first player to arrive and quickly gestured for medical teams to enter the field.
The crowd fell silent as they realized Cartwright, who played twice for Australia’s Test team, had been seriously injured.
Commentator Ricky Ponting said on Channel 7 commentary: ‘Something has happened here. He has his hand over his face, so something is clearly wrong.
“Hopefully it’s nothing too serious.”
Former Australian racing great Justin Langer added: “It’s like he knew right away.” “He is one of the toughest athletes you will ever meet.”
Worryingly, Cartwright remained on the ground while being treated by doctors, before doctors fitted him with a neck brace and transported him from the field on a stretcher.
The Stars later announced that Cartwright was immediately taken to the hospital for further evaluations and scans on his neck.
“It’s difficult because he’s a very respected and loved guy in the entire locker room…” Stoinis, the Stars’ new captain, said at Cartwright after the game.
“Hopefully, everything will work out.”
The Stars had come out to the wicket to bat first, setting their opponents a target of 147 to win. Cartwright came out to hit 18 runs off 17 balls, before being praised for his fielding, before suffering the injury.
Stoinis later told Channel 7 after the game that he had not suffered a concussion.
“I got an update that he doesn’t have a concussion, so that’s the first good sign, but he went to the hospital and they’re doing scans on his neck, they’re a little worried about his neck,” he said. saying.
“We’re keeping our fingers crossed because he’s an important part of our team and the WA team, and he’s a well-respected guy.” So I hope he’s okay.”
In his debut as captain, Stoinis led his team by example, achieving his joint-highest run tally of 37.
But the Stars, looking to reach the final for the first time in four years, were bowled out by the Scorchers, with Connolly scoring 64 runs off 51 balls before Curran dismissed him.
Captain Ashton Turner came in to follow up with another 37, while his number 6, Nick Hobson, concluded the game with 27 runs, with Perth winning with three overs to spare.