|| Desk Report ||

Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne was taken to hospital after he is hit on the head by a Pat Cummins bouncer during the day two of the second 2nd Test at Canberra on Saturday.

Dimuth was wearing a helmet with the rear attachments designed to shield a batsman's neck, and though it was the equipment that the ball seemed to strike, he immediately collapsed backwards, losing grip of his bat.

Attempting to duck the bouncer in the fourth delivery of the 31st over, Karunaratne turned and tucked in his head. But the ball did not rise as high as he had expected, and struck him seemingly on the top of the shoulder. He lay still on the popping crease, as the Sri Lanka physio and the Australian team doctor rushed on to the field.

The medical staff put a brace around his neck, transferred him gently on to a stretcher, then drove him off the field. Cricket Australia later said: "Dimuth complained of pain in neck and tingling to his hands following being struck in the back of the neck, decision then made to transport him to hospital where he is currently being assessed. Updates will be provided when more is known."

It is likely that Dimuth will now undergo scans in hospital, to inspect for any damage, and to check for concussion.