Jos Buttler, England’s One Day International (ODI) wicket-keeper, said he “feared the worst” after his shot hit Sri Lankan cricketer Pathum Nissanka on the head in their drawn tour match against a Sri Lanka Board President’s XI on Wednesday, 31 October.
On Wednesday, after Jos Buttler’s pull shot hit the helmet of Nissanka, he was given treatment on the field before getting carried off the ground on a stretcher to a hospital in Colombo.
Speaking to the media at the Nondescripts Cricket Club ground, Jos Buttler said, “You always fear the worst, I think. I hit it pretty hard and hit him flush so it was a big worry straight away.”
The incident took place on the second day of the Test match and it revived the memories of the on-field injury suffered by Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes in 2014 which proved fatal.
However, the Sri Lanka Cricket Board has confirmed that Nissanka is out of danger and he will be in the hospital for 24 hours on observation.
“When he went down you are hoping for the best. The doctors and physios ran out and gave great care straight away. You don’t mean to cause injury but it’s a real unfortunate accident,” Buttler further said.
The England Cricket team will next travel to Galle to play the opening match of three-match Test series against Sri Lanka starting November 6.