/ 5 May 2003

Cricket a contact sport for injured players

New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori and Sri Lanka’s Marvan Atapattu were being treated for injuries after colliding during the second Test here on Monday.

Vettori suffered an ankle injury and Atapattu had bruises on the right side of his face after the Sri Lankan crashed into Vettori while trying to run him out.

Atapattu’s face struck Vettori’s helmet and both players were sprawled on the field for several minutes before they were rushed to hospital.

Vettori injured his left ankle when he slumped to the ground; Atapattu suffered a concussion and bruises to the face, according to the medical staff who attended the players.

”Both players are under observation in hospital,” said Sri Lankan team manager Ajit Jayasekera.

”I can’t say yet how serious the injuries are.”

Initial reports suggest the injuries may keep both players out of the limited-overs tri-series between New Zealand, Pakistan and the hosts starting on May 10. – Sapa-AFP