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While representing one's national team is often the ultimate dream for a budding or an aspiring cricketer, it turned out to be a horrific affair for Jeremy Solozano. In a shocking incident, the West Indies cricketer was struck on the front part of his helmet while fielding at short leg and had to be stretchered off the ground before being taken to hospital.
As members of the cricket fraternity continue to hope that he is okay and returns back to the field shortly, it should be noted that the visuals were nothing but scary. It all happened on the fourth ball of the 24th over of the Sri Lankan first innings on Day 1 of the two-match Test series.
It was Roston Chase who was introduced into the attack for this over for the West Indies who were still looking to break the opening partnership. The fourth ball of this over was a short pitch delivery by the off-spinner pitching on middle and off and striker Dimuth Karunaratne had judged the length early and got into position early to pull this with all his might. However, it struck the short leg fielder on his helmet and Solozano took his helmet out and lay on the ground.
The physios had to run to the ground with all the players surrounding him and after a first aid treatment, he had to be stretched off the field. He was later admitted to a hospital as play resumed.
The match is being played at Galle and as the news was being filed, Sri Lanka had scored 61/0 in 27 overs as lunch was taken. But the unfortunate incident has taken centre stage over cricket for now and there are cricket fans wondering whether play resumed too soon for the players to settle down.
The incident is eerily reminiscent of the one involving Raman Lamba who had succumbed to injuries which he sustained while fielding in a cricket match at the same position. Fortunately for Solozano though, he was struck on the helmet which might have reduced the impact of the blow which was still a severe one as the rear part of the helmet had come off when he was hit.