Luke Fletcher released from hospital after horror injury

Nottinghamshire bowler Luke Fletcher has been discharged from hospital after suffering a head injury during Saturday’s NatWest Blast T20 match with Birmingham, his county have announced.

The 28-year-old was struck on the head by a ball hit back down the ground by Sam Hain as he bowled to the Birmingham opener in the evening clash at Edgbaston.

Fletcher went down to the floor and was then led from the field with a towel covering his head before being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in the city.

The seamer was kept in overnight as a precautionary measure but has now been released.

“Great news! @fletcherluke has been been discharged from hospital and will now rest up at home before being assessed again later this week,” Nottinghamshire said on Twitter.

Fletcher’s team-mates and opponents were visibly affected by the incident, with Samit Patel in tears as Nottinghamshire coach Peter Moores addressed the players.

The players then left the field before returning some 30 minutes later, as team-mate Jake Ball tweeted a picture of Fletcher in an ambulance taking oxygen but giving a thumbs-up to the camera.

Well-wishers were quick to send their support to Fletcher, who tweeted overnight: “Thanks for the messages. Shame about the result. Congrats to the bears!! Time for a few paracetamol.”

Fletcher added on Sunday morning: “Thanks again for all the kind messages!! Hope the ball is recovering aswell as me ????????????????”

Birmingham won the North Group match by six wickets after reaching their victory target of 159 off the final ball of the match.