'This is scary': Cricket world in shock over 'horrific' incident
Cricket fans were left horrified on Sunday when West Indies debutant Jeremy Solozano was taken from the field on a stretcher on the opening morning of the first Test against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne slammed an unbeaten hundred to give his team the upper hand in the first Test.
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The West Indies were given a massive scare when Karunaratne attempted a full-blooded pull shot off the bowling of Roston Chase and the ball crashed onto the helmet grill of Solozano, who was fielding at short leg.
Medical staff attended to him on the ground before he was taken on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance.
The West Indies said Solozano underwent scans at a hospital in Colombo, and will be kept overnight for observation.
The frightening scenes sent shockwaves through cricket fans around the world.
Watching events unfold as they did at Galle was scary. But so relieved to know Jeremy Solozano is ok. #SLvNZ https://t.co/njisjs5RI8
— Arun Gopalakrishnan (@statanalyst) November 21, 2021
Omg!
— Umer Shehzad (@_umer_umer) November 21, 2021
He should not return. He should sit out the rest of this Test at least under close observation to make sure he isn’t suffering any concussion or brain trauma. Allowing him to play any part of this Test would be irresponsible.
— Nakul Pande (@NakulMPande) November 21, 2021
Hope the debutant Solozano is okay. Hit on the head while fielding at short leg. Looked very scary. #SLvWI
— Arjun Ashok (@arj_90) November 21, 2021
Just saw the horrific video of Jeremy Solozano being hit on the helmet while fielding at silly position. I hope the youngster is well and recovers soon🤞#WIvSL
— Zubair (@IamZubair79) November 21, 2021
That was horrific. Best wishes to Solozano for #WI.. never wish that upon anyone, but on debut? That’s brutal. Cricket just can’t catch a break. This puts everything into perspective #SLvWI #CricketTwitter
— TexasCricketCommenter (@CricketKaran1) November 21, 2021
Karunaratne gives Sri Lanka the upper hand
Bad light forced an early end to the day's play in Galle with two overs remaining and the hosts finishing on 3-267.
Karunaratne batted through the day after winning the toss on a slow surface, making a 139-run stand for the first wicket with Pathum Nissanka.
Part-time spinner Chase dismissed Oshada Fernando and Angelo Mathews for three each in quick succession to bring the West Indies back into the game.
But Sri Lanka wrestled back the initiative as Karunaratne shared a 97-run partnership with Dhananjaya de Silva for the fourth wicket.
This was Karunaratne's 13th Test century and fourth this year.
He has bagged more than 750 runs in 2021, including a career-best 244 against Bangladesh, despite only playing 10 innings.
Shannon Gabriel provided the breakthrough for the tourists when he had Nissanka - who was chasing a full delivery wide outside the off-stump - caught by Rahkeem Cornwall at first slip for 56.
But they squandered an opportunity to dismiss Karunaratne on 14, when Cornwall found the outside edge of the bat but Jermaine Blackwood at slip was unable to hold on as he attempted a one-handed grab.
West Indies unsuccessfully reviewed after Karunaratne played an uncharacteristic reverse sweep off the left-arm orthodox spin of Jomel Warrican and the ball struck his front pad.
Television replays showed the impact was outside off-stump.
The tourists lost their second review over a caught-behind appeal against Nissanka off the bowling of Chase.
They were denied a second wicket in the afternoon session when Warrican failed to take a return catch with Fernando on three.
But the reprieve was brief, with Fernando well caught by Nkrumah Bonner at short leg to give Chase his first wicket.
with agencies
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