Hampshire opener Fletcha Middleton retired hurt after being struck on the back on the head while batting for his adopted Melbourne club Fitzroy Doncaster in the Victoria Premier League.
The 22-year old looked in superb form as he struck ten boundaries in an unbeaten 74 off 100 balls against table topping Carlton, but his prospects of a second hundred on Australian soil this winter were dashed as he pointed Fitzroy Doncaster to an eventual four-wicket victory chasing 248.
"Fletch was batting beautifully, punching some glorious back-foot shots through cover, but was hit an had to come off," praised Carlton manager Mick Connop, who spent two seasons with Waterlooville back in the Seventies.
"You could see why he's Hampshire's first choice opener. It was such a shame he was concussed. But I don't think he was badly hurt. He'll have a few headaches this week, but I'll be surprised if he's not fit enough to play again at the weekend."
Middleton's county team-mate Ian Holland shone with the ball as Ringwood beat fellow VPL side Essendon. He removed three open order batsmen, finishing with 4-25 off 15 overs.
The 22-year old looked in superb form as he struck ten boundaries in an unbeaten 74 off 100 balls against table topping Carlton, but his prospects of a second hundred on Australian soil this winter were dashed as he pointed Fitzroy Doncaster to an eventual four-wicket victory chasing 248.
"Fletch was batting beautifully, punching some glorious back-foot shots through cover, but was hit an had to come off," praised Carlton manager Mick Connop, who spent two seasons with Waterlooville back in the Seventies.
"You could see why he's Hampshire's first choice opener. It was such a shame he was concussed. But I don't think he was badly hurt. He'll have a few headaches this week, but I'll be surprised if he's not fit enough to play again at the weekend."
Middleton's county team-mate Ian Holland shone with the ball as Ringwood beat fellow VPL side Essendon. He removed three open order batsmen, finishing with 4-25 off 15 overs.
