Hilton Cartwright was taken to hospital after sustaining an injury while fielding during the Scorchers’ run chase. (Getty Images: Paul Kane)
In short:
Hilton Cartwright was injured while fielding for the Stars in their loss to the Scorchers.
Cartwright was taken to hospital for scans but has since been released.
What’s next?
The Stars say they are unsure when Cartwright will return to playing duties.
The Melbourne Stars say all-rounder Hilton Cartwright has been cleared of “serious damage” to his neck after he was injured while fielding during the Scorchers’ six-wicket win in Perth.
Cartwright spent the night in hospital and underwent scans after he was stretched 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 had dived to prevent a boundary during the Scorchers’ run chase. (AAP: Richard Wainwright)
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.
“Hilton Cartwright has been cleared of any serious damage to his neck whilst fielding in last night’s match,” the Stars wrote on X.
“Cartwright underwent scans and spent overnight in hospital but has now been released and will rejoin the squad in Melbourne in the next few days.
“A return to play will be determined once he is back in Melbourne.”
On Sunday night, player-of-the-match Jhye Richardson snared 3-19 for the Scorchers as the Stars spluttered their way to 9-146 from their allotted overs in the 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).
The 30,469 crowd was a record attendance for a BBL season-opener, eclipsing the 27,676 of BBL04.
AAP