Canberra: Sri Lankan opener Dimuth Karunaratne was in ‘no danger’ after being stretchered off in a neck brace following a nasty hit from a bouncer by Pat Cummins in the second cricket Test in Canberra on Saturday. Playing in his 58th Test, Karunaratne was 46 not out when the rising ball glanced off his shoulder and onto his helmet, close to the neck area.
He slumped to the ground, dropping his bat as Australian players ran to assist.
— Mr Gentleman (@183_264) February 2, 2019
Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne reacts after being hit by a delivery from Australia’s Pat Cummins (not in picture) during day two of the second Test cricket match between Australia and Sri Lanka at Manuka Oval Cricket Ground in Canberra on February 2, 2019. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE
Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne reacts after he was hit by a delivery from Australia’s Pat Cummins (front C) during day two of the second Test cricket match between Australia and Sri Lanka at Manuka Oval Cricket Ground in Canberra on February 2, 2019. Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA / AFP
A doctor and physio sprinted onto the ground and called for more medics and after some 10 minutes he was put onto a stretcher and taken off the field on a golf buggy before being sent to hospital for checks. Coach Chandika Hathurusingha said he was ‘in good spirits’ and in ‘no danger’.
“It was a bit scary at the start the way he fell back, but he was okay throughout, he was talking to the umpires and the physio,” he said after the play ended for the day.
Australia’s team doctor Richard Saw (3rd L) checks Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne (C) after he was hit by a delivery from Australia’s Pat Cummins during day two of the second Test cricket match between Australia and Sri Lanka at Manuka Oval Cricket Ground in Canberra on February 2, 2019. Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP-
“It hit on the back of the neck so he is being assessed.”
Cricket Australia said he complained of pain in the neck and tingling to the hands.