Hilton Cartwright Cleared of Serious Neck Injury

Hilton Cartwright of the Melbourne Stars was hospitalized after a serious neck injury during the Big Bash League season opener against the Perth Scorchers. The incident occurred when he attempted a full-length dive to stop a boundary, landing awkwardly and remaining motionless on the field for several minutes, prompting an urgent medical response. Fortunately, after undergoing scans and spending the night in the hospital, Cartwright has been cleared of serious injury and released, with only concerns of whiplash. Stars captain Marcus Stoinis described the atmosphere as 'awful' and emphasized Cartwright's importance to the team, noting the emotional impact of the incident on players. Cartwright is expected to rejoin the squad in Melbourne in the coming days, with a decision on his return to play to be made post-recovery. The incident overshadowed the Stars' six-wicket loss to the Scorchers, showcasing the inherent risks of professional sports.