Windies debutant Solozano taken to hospital after being hit on helmet
West Indies debutant Jeremy Solozano was taken to the hospital after receiving a blow on the helmet while fielding during the opening day of the Test series against Sri Lanka.
The 26-year-old had to be stretchered off the field after being struck by a pull shot from Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne.
The incident happened on the fourth ball of the 24th over, when Karunaratne rocked back and pulled a short delivery from off-spinner Roston Chase.
Jeremy Solozano was fielding at the short leg position and didn’t have any time to react to the powerful shot and was hit on the front of the helmet near the forehead, with the rear part of the helmet coming off on impact.
He lay still on the ground for several minutes after sustaining the blow. Thankfully, he appeared conscious as he got medical attention as players of both teams surrounded him. The 26-year-old was also seen talking briefly before his forehead was covered with a towel, to protect the head from the heat in Galle.
Phil Simmons, the head coach who had handed the debut Test cap to Jeremy Solozano, came down the dressing room stairs and stood near the boundary rope before the player was stretchered off the field and into the ambulance near the boundary.
Shai Hope was brought in as the replacement after the injured player left the pitch. Solozano was reportedly responsive while being taken to the hospital and is currently undergoing scans. Cricket West Indies has promised to give further news on the player’s condition as soon as it becomes available.
Jeremy Solozano, born in Trinidad, has played 40 first-class games in which he averages 23.41 and has stroked a couple of centuries.