Sheffield Shield: Hilton Cartwright retires mid-innings to attend child birth
What's the story
Western Australia all-rounder Hilton Cartwright made a surprising exit from his innings during a Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania. However, the reason for his sudden departure was neither an injury nor a dismissal, but the impending birth of his second child. Cartwright's wife Tameka had suffered complications in her pregnancy, requiring immediate medical attention and hastening the birth process. Here are further details.
Match interruption
Cartwright's unexpected departure and return to the crease
Notably, Cartwright was batting on an unbeaten 52 when he had to leave the field during the Tea break on Day 2. He rushed to the hospital where his wife was admitted. After ensuring his wife and newborn were safe, Cartwright returned to WACA Ground in Perth. After Cooper Connolly's dismissal, he resumed his innings and added another 13 runs before being dismissed by Riley Meredith.
Player's perspective
Cartwright's statement on the unexpected situation
Cartwright told Fox Cricket that his wife was only 37 weeks pregnant and they didn't expect the birth to coincide with the match against Tasmania. But complications arose over the weekend leading to an urgent call from their obstetrician. The medical professional advised immediate induction for the safety of both mother and child, prompting Cartwright's sudden departure from the game.
Team strategy
Cartwright's plan with team management
Cartwright revealed he had spoken to the coaches and Western Australian captain Sam Whiteman about a plan. The idea was for him to leave the ground at tea break, with hopes of returning later in the innings. This isn't an isolated incident as players have had to leave matches midway due to personal emergencies. Earlier this year, Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin had to rush home during a Test match against England after his mother fell ill.