(Photo: Getty Images)
Nottinghamshire bowler Luke Fletcher has spoken of his lucky escape after suffering a horrific-looking head injury in Saturday’s T20 match with Birmingham Bears.
In a freak accident which saw Sam Hain hit a ball straight back at the bowler and hit in flush on the head, Fletcher said doctors had told him he had ‘dodged a bullet’ after being taken to hospital and kept overnight for observation.
“It is probably a good thing I did not lift my head up, it could’ve been a lot worse,” said Fletcher, who celebrated winning the Royal London One Day Cup only one week ago.
“I got away with it and the doctors said I dodged a bullet.
“It is frightening. I didn’t realise how lucky I was until I watched it back.
“I didn’t see the ball at all and I just realised when it hit me and I thought, ‘I could be in a bit of bother here’.
“I got away with it and the doctors said I dodged a bullet.”
As for the length of time he will be sidelined, the 28-year-old remains hopeful of returning to continue Notts’ push for promotion and an immediate return to Division One in the County Championship.
“When I first went to the hospital the doctor said: ‘There’s a chance you could miss the rest of the season.’
“They said that if the ball had hit me in the temple or side of the head, anything could’ve happened.”
Great news! @fletcherluke has been been discharged from hospital and will now rest up at home before being assessed again later this week. pic.twitter.com/sQ60XDy4NL
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) July 9, 2017
In the spirit of cricket Fletcher also revealed to BBC Radio 5 Live a number of Birmingham Bears players had been in touch with well wishes, and Sam Hain was keen on an extended chat.
“Quite a few of the Warwickshire lads got in touch and he (Hain) was one of them.
“I told him that it can’t really be helped. He said next time he is at Trent Bridge we will go to the pub and have a beer together.”
