Three ambulances, emergency oxygen and blood on the outfield as two Surrey stars collide
FOR 40 terrifying minutes yesterday, English cricket held its breath after a sickening collision between two Surrey fielders. A crowd of 8,500 at Arundel were stunned after Moises Henriques and Rory Burns were knocked unconscious after running into each other at high speed going for the same catch. Henriques suffered a suspected broken jaw, Burns cuts to his head and eye. Three ambulances tended to them and both were given oxygen and put on intravenous drips. Australian all-rounder Henriques had been backpedalling from backward point, with Burns running in from the boundary at high speed during the T20 Blast game against Sussex. Afterwards, Burns lay motionless with thoughts inevitably drifting to the tragic death of Australian batsman Phil Hughes in Sydney seven months ago. Thankfully, rumours that Henriques was receiving CPR were quickly replaced by the sight of both players sitting upright and giving the thumbs up as they were lifted into ambulances and taken to hospital. Henriques is awaiting the results of a scan on his jaw, while Burns was said to be in good spirits after seeing a specialist. Both are expected to make full recoveries. Sussex physiotherapist Jon Marrale said: ‘Both were unconscious. Henriques was caught by Burns’ knee and Burns had lacerations on the top of his head and below his eye.’ The match was abandoned after players from both teams, including Kevin Pietersen, were consulted. Umpire Alex Wharf said: ‘It was horrific — for all the players and the spectators close to the incident. There was never any chance of the game continuing.’ Sussex’s Craig Cachopa, who was batting when his partner Steffan Piolet top-edged Surrey bowler Tom Curran into the offside which led to the collision, said: ‘It was horrible to see. I don’t deal with those situations well, so I came straight off but the decision to call the match off was the right one.’