In the 13th over of Scorchers’ chase, Cartwright ran from deep point while trying to prevent a boundary from Scorchers batsman Cooper Connolly. He fell to the grass in a dive with his whole body toward the rope, but his neck seemed to jerk and he instantly felt uncomfortable.
Cartwright remained face down and did not move in terrifying scenes as Stars captain Marcus Stoinis ran and waved to his team’s medical staff. Play was stopped for 10 minutes while Cartwright was treated before being stretchered away in a mini-ambulance with the support of a neck brace.
Cartwright, who plays for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup, left the field to warm applause from the 30,649 spectators.
“They’ve ruled out a concussion… but he’s going to the hospital to have some scans done on his neck,” Stoinis told reporters. “I’m not sure about your neck, [whether it’s] “As a precaution, so let’s keep our fingers crossed that he’s okay.”
Having moved on from Scorchers ahead of BBL 09, Cartwright’s explosiveness has been a mainstay of the Stars middle order and he is also a useful bowler. He made 18 off 17 balls batting at number 5 in the Stars’ six-wicket loss to Scorchers.
The Stars’ next game is against defending champions Brisbane Heat on Wednesday at the MCG.
“It’s very important for our team. It’s the heart of our team, but not just for us with Western Australia,” Stoinis said. “He’s a very respected guy. You don’t expect those things to happen.
“It definitely affected the mood of the night. We ran there pretty fast just to see him. But there’s nothing you can do…just hope he’s okay.”
Cartwright, who played two Tests for Australia in 2017, has been in good form to start the domestic season. He is the second highest scorer in the Sheffield Shield with 530 runs at an average of 53 and has taken four wickets at 35.25.
During a Shield match against Tasmania in October at the WACA, Cartwright left for tea on the second day to attend the birth of his second child.
“There’s genuine concern for Hilton, I certainly hope he’s OK,” Scorchers/Western Australia coach Adam Voges said. “He is a Western Australian and much loved. We wish him the best and certainly hope it is positive news.”
