Hilton Cartwright Hospitalized After Neck Injury in Fielding Mishap at Optus Stadium

During the first trade of the BBL season at Optus Stadium, where the Melbourne Stars were playing against Perth Scorchers, Hilton Cartwright got badly hurt. Cartwright was doing his best to stop a boundary from a shot by Cooper Connolly in the 13th over of the Scorchers innings. Cartwright ran very fast from deep point and made a complete jump but he landed in an abnormal manner and seemed to injure his neck.

Cartwright didn't move and just lay there with his face on the ground, clearly in a lot of pain. Right after that, they had to rush him to the hospital because of the injury to his neck. It was a really tense moment.

Fans Show Support as Cartwright is Rushed to Hospital

Our thoughts are with Hilton Cartwright ❤️

He's been taken by cart from the ground after suffering an injury fielding #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/n9Rcq5Z3t6

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 15, 2024

The crowd of 30,649 clapped for Cartwright warmly as they took him off the field in a mini-ambulance with a neck brace on. He had to be carried away on a stretcher. Marcus Stoinis from the Stars ran over very quickly to get the medics. Everyone had to wait for about 10 minutes while the medical team took care of Cartwright.

Stoinis shared with reporters. "They've ruled out a concussion, but he's heading to the hospital for neck scans, We're not sure yet if it's precautionary, but fingers crossed he's okay."

In this match, Cartwright hit 18 from 17 balls but the Stars still ended up losing by six wickets. Since he started playing with them in BBL 09, Cartwright has really stood out for the Stars. He's not only amazing at batting when they really need him in the middle of the game but also at throwing some decent seam balls. Stoinis thinks he's vitally important, not only to the team but also for Western Australia, calling him the heartbeat of the team. He mentioned that having awful news like this was unexpected and really ruined the feeling of the evening.

A Key Player for the Stars and Western Australia

In the beginning of the domestic season, Cartwright mastered it. He bolted from a Sheffield Shield game against Tasmania in October to be there for the birth of his second child. That move proved he's dedicated to his family and game. Playing for Australia in Cricket in 2017, this person has some serious skills. With 530 runs, batting at an average of 53, he's standing as the second-top run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield, and he didn't only stop at batting he also got four wickets.

Adam Voges, the coach of the Scorchers, is really hoping Hilton Cartwright gets better soon. Voges said, "Hilton's a very special person from Western Australia, and we all want good news. Before their approach with Brisbane Heat at the MCG next Wednesday", the Stars, who are last year's champs, strongly wish to learn nice news regarding how Cartwright is doing.

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