Melbourne Stars' Hilton Cartwright injured in BBL opener against ...
1 hours agoSun 15 Dec 2024 at 7:58pm
Hilton Cartwright was taken to hospital after sustaining an injury while fielding during the Scorchers' run chase. (Getty Images: Paul Kane)
Hilton Cartwright was injured while fielding for the Stars in their loss to the Scorchers.
Cartwright was taken to hospital for scans.
What's next?The Stars remain hopeful Cartwright will not be ruled out for the season.
Melbourne Stars all-rounder Hilton Cartwright has been taken to hospital after sustaining a possible neck injury while fielding during the Scorchers' six-wicket win in Perth.
Player-of-the-match Jhye Richardson snared 3-19 for the hosts as the Stars spluttered their way to 9-146 from their allotted overs in Sunday night's BBL season-opener.
In reply, the Scorchers reached the victory target with 17 balls to spare thanks largely to a career-best knock from Cooper Connolly (64 off 51 deliveries) and a cool head from captain Ashton Turner (37 not out off 27).
Cartwright had to be stretchered off the ground on a medi-cab following a fielding mishap during the Scorchers' run chase.
He injured himself when diving at full pace as he attempted to save a boundary.
Cartwright lay motionless on the turf after sliding to a stop, and medical staff carefully assessed him for almost five minutes before loading him onto the medi-cab.
Cartwright had dived to prevent a boundary during the Scorchers' run chase. (AAP: Richard Wainwright)
"They've ruled out concussion and that sort of thing, but he's gone to hospital for some scans on his neck," Stars captain Marcus Stoinis said.
"They're a bit worried or precautionary about his neck, so fingers crossed he's alright.
"He's a heartbeat of our team, but not only us, with Western Australia and the Scorchers, he's a very well-respected guy.
"It did definitely put a damper on the mood of the night.
"It's just hard to switch that off. We ran there pretty quick just to see him. But there's nothing you can really do.
"He's very important to our team. He's the heartbeat of that middle order, and in the field he sets the tone, so hopefully we don't miss him."
Scorchers coach Adam Voges, who coaches Cartwright as part of the West Australian set-up, also expressed his concern.
"We certainly hope he's OK," Voges said.
"He's a West Australian and much loved. We wish him the best, and certainly hope it's positive news."
The 30,469 crowd was a record attendance for a BBL season-opener, eclipsing the 27,676 of BBL04.
AAP
