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Voges recovering after freak fielding accident

Test and Middlesex batsman hospitalised as precautionary measure after being struck in the head by the ball

Australia Test batsman Adam Voges has been released from hospital after he was admitted with a suspected concussion following a freak accident during a County Championship game in England.

Voges, who was captaining Middlesex on day one of their match against Hampshire, was fielding at slip when former England Test opener Michael Carberry hit a boundary.

An errant return throw from sub-fielder Ollie Rayner eluded wicketkeeper John Simpson and struck Voges on the back of the head.

The 36-year-old immediately fell to the ground but was conscious when the Middlesex physiotherapist reached him in the middle. It is unclear whether he lost consciousness prior to receiving treatment.

With the assistance of both teams’ physios, Voges was able to walk off the Rose Bowl ground. He was taken to hospital as a precaution and won’t take any further part in the match.

“The feeling from physio Peter Waxman is that he’s got concussion but that’ll be shown up (conclusively) later (by doctors),” Middlesex director of cricket Angus Fraser said after play.

“(It was) a freak injury, as such, but I suppose you wonder with a cricket ball thrown around a field as much it is, you wonder why it doesn’t happen a bit more often.

“They’re hard things, cricket balls, and it’s sad news for Adam and obviously disappointing for us.

“He wasn’t feeling very well in the dressing room (after the knock) but he’s been taken to hospital to get it checked over.

“He was feeling a lot better and seems to be coming around.”

Voges has hit 21, 92 and 50 in his three hits for Middlesex this season and the Lord’s-based club were fifth in Division One of the County Championship heading into this round of matches.

Since making his Test debut for Australia last year against the West Indies, the right-hander has become a crucial fixture in Australia’s Test side. In eight Tests last summer, Voges passed 100 four times, notching two double-centuries, and he currently boasts the incredible average of 95.

Hampshire had the better of Middlesex on day one of the clash, with Carberry going on to make 107 and together with Liam Dawson (87) helping his side to 7-315 at stumps.

Dawson and new recruit Tino Best (8) will look to add to Hampshire’s first-innings total on day two.