On Sunday night at Optus Stadium, the Perth Scorchers celebrated a triumphant start to their Big Bash League (BBL|14) campaign, winning their season opener against the Melbourne Stars by six wickets. While the victory, secured with 17 balls to spare, was promising for Scorchers fans, the evening was marred by the distressing injury of Melbourne all-rounder Hilton Cartwright.
The match began energetically as the Scorchers opted to chase down the Stars' total of 146 runs, posting 150 runs for the loss of just four wickets. Youngster Cooper Connolly shone brightly, starring at the crease with his impressive 64 runs off 51 balls, supported by captain Ashton Turner who scored 37 not out off 27 balls. Nick Hobson also kept up the momentum with a swift 27 from just 14 balls.
Victory, unfortunately, came at a cost for the Stars when Cartwright was stretchered off the field due to concerns over his neck. The 32-year-old suffered the injury during the 13th over of the Scorchers’ innings when he attempted to save the ball from reaching the boundary. Cartwright dove full-length but landed awkwardly, prompting immediate concern from teammates and medical professionals. He lay motionless on the field for several tense moments as medical staff assessed his condition.
"It doesn’t look good ... he looks like he’s in a lot of bother," said commentator Mark Howard, capturing the alarming atmosphere. The seriousness of the situation necessitated the arrival of the medicab, which took Cartwright off the field during the match, whereupon he was transported to the hospital for precautionary scans.
According to Stars captain Marcus Stoinis, initial assessments ruled out concussion but expressed concerns over Cartwright's neck. “They’re worried... about his neck, so fingers crossed he’s alright. He’s the heartbeat of our team and very well-respected,” he stated post-match.
The attending medical staff advised Cartwright to remain on his back, clearly indicating the severity of the incident. After spending several minutes on the ground, he was seen clutching his neck but was reportedly conscious and in good spirits as he was being taken away.
Despite the emotional blow from Cartwright’s injury, the Scorchers exhibited remarkable skill and determination throughout the game, particularly from their bowling unit. Jhye Richardson was the standout performer, claiming three wickets for just 19 runs, efficiently restricting the Stars to 146 after they elected to bat first. Only Marcus Stoinis (37 off 33) and Tom Curran (37 off 19) provided any significant resistance against the Scorchers' disciplined attack.
Captain Stoinis reflected on the injury's impact, admitting, “It did definitely put a damper on the mood of the night. He is very important to our team.” His words echoed through the crowd, which was witnessing not only the excitement of the season opener but the painful reality of sports injuries.
On the other side, Scorchers coach Adam Voges expressed his concern. "We certainly hope he’s OK. He's much loved, and we wish him the best," he shared, emphasizing Cartwright's integral role within the team.
The match itself drew a record-breaking crowd of 30,469 attendees, the largest for any BBL season opener, which speaks volumes about the enthusiasm surrounding the league's commencement. Despite Cartwright's injury, the atmosphere remained vibrant as the Scorchers chased their target, showcasing the depth of talent within their squad.
The early stages proved challenging for the Melbourne Stars, who stumbled to 2-3 within the first few overs after Richardson's fiery bowling. Their top order struggled before Stoinis steadied the innings following the early departures of Joe Clarke and Sam Harper. But after Stoinis’s unfortunate run-out following a direct hit by Andrew Tye, the Stars lost their grip on the match completely.
Both teams will be anxiously awaiting updates on Cartwright’s condition as he heads to the hospital for additional scans. Meanwhile, the Perth Scorchers will take confidence from their season opening victory, which was characterized by impressive performances from both their batsmen and bowlers, as they look to build momentum early on!
Indeed, this BBL season opener will be remembered not just for the thrilling cricket but also for the reminder it offers about the unpredictable nature of sports injuries and the tangible risks players face on the field.
