Big Bash League 2024-25: Hilton Cartwright Cleared of Serious Injury After Frightening Incident in BBL Opener

Melbourne Stars all-rounder Hilton Cartwright has been cleared of serious neck injury following a scary incident during the Big Bash League 2024-25 opener against Perth Scorchers. Cartwright sustained the injury while attempting a diving save near the boundary, leaving him motionless on the field. Medical staff attended to him for several minutes before he was stretchered off and transported to the hospital for scans and overnight observation.

Fortunately, scans revealed no significant damage, and Cartwright was released from the hospital the following morning. The Melbourne Stars confirmed he would rejoin the team in Melbourne in the coming days. In a statement, the club said:

Hilton Cartwright has been cleared of any serious damage to his neck whilst fielding in last night’s match. 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.

Teammate Marcus Stoinis described the incident as “awful” and highlighted Cartwright’s importance to the team, calling him the heartbeat of their squad. Stoinis added:

But not only us, with Western Australia and the Scorchers, he’s a very well-respected guy. Hopefully, he’s alright. It did definitely put a dampener on the mood of the night – it’s just hard to switch that off. We ran there pretty quick to see him but there’s nothing you can really do.

Despite Cartwright’s injury, the Perth Scorchers cruised to a comfortable win, chasing the Stars’ 146/9 with 17 balls to spare. The Stars will aim to bounce back in their next match against Brisbane Heat on December 18 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, while the Scorchers, sitting atop the points table, will face Hobart Hurricanes on December 21.