Major Hilton Cartwright update after scary Big Bash incident

Hilton Cartwright’s Melbourne Stars captain could only hope for the best after his teammate was sent to hospital in Perth.

Melbourne Stars slugger Hilton Cartwright was cleared of concussion and neck issues after captain Marcus Stoinis declared he was “a bit worried” following an incident in Sunday night’s opening BBL loss in Perth which ended with Cartwright in hospital.

Cartwright was stretchered from Optus Stadium while fielding in the six-wicket BBL loss to the Perth Scorchers after he dived and slid across the turf trying to stop a boundary.

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He came to an abrupt stop and didn’t move for some time, sparking instant concern.

While it didn’t appear that his head hit the turf, a neck brace was applied and he was sent to hospital for scans.

But the Stars confirmed on Monday morning he had been cleared of any major issue with a return to play to be confirmed.

“Melbourne Stars batter Hilton Cartwright has been cleared of any serious damage to his neck whilst fielding in last night’s match against the Perth Scorchers,” a Stars statement said.

“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.”

Thoughts are with Hilton Cartwright who has been helped off the field after suffering an injury while attempting to save a boundary. 🙏 #BBL14pic.twitter.com/WGZ787X4Pl

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 15, 2024

New captain Stoinis expressed his concern post match and said they could ill afford to lose one of their most damaging batters after an opening loss.

“Absolutely not. He’s very important to our team,” he said.

Hilton Cartwright of the Stars is taken from the field on the medical buggy. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

“He’s the heartbeat of that middle order, and in the field, he sets the tone.

“Yeah, so hopefully we don’t miss him.

“They’re a bit worried, or precautionary, I’m not sure, about his neck, so fingers crossed he’s all right.”

Cartwright scored 18 runs in the Stars loss having made 209 runs at an average of 41.80 last season. Only Beau Webster and Glenn Maxwell scored more runs for the Stars.

After losing their last three games of BBL13 and missing the finals, the Stars were hoping for a better start to BBL14.

Despite the Scorchers chasing down their total of 147 with 17 balls to spare, Stoinis said he didn’t think his side was too far off.

They reached 9/146 after being 2-3 and had Perth in trouble at 3-37 at the start of its chase.

Hilton Cartwright of the Stars is attended to by medical staff after injuring his neck. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Stoinis said there was enough to look at before Wednesday’s clash against reigning champions, the Brisbane Heart, at the MCG.

“You can see how slick they were in the field,” Stoinis said of the Scorchers.

“It was very hard for us to get twos. They ran their twos really well.

“They played the ground dimensions really well. That’s something we will reflect on.

“Ideally, we would have gotten off to a better start with the bat. But, I mean, it’s small margins. You do those things a little bit better. There’s 20 or 30 runs there, and then we’re one wicket away, I reckon.”

Melbourne is likely to be without Maxwell for the game against the Heat and recruits Ben Duckett (England) and Usama Mir (Pakistan) are yet to join the squad due to international duties