Andre Russell laid low by blow to the head

Russell, playing for Jamaica Tallawahs, was struck by a short ball from St Lucia Zouks' Hardus Viljoen in the 14th over of the game. Facing his third ball of the day and yet to open his account, Russell was cramped for space and missed a pull shot.

The ball instead hit him near his right ear. He immediately fell to the ground and was surrounded by concerned fielders.

When the medical team arrived, he looked groggy but was able to stand. However, having taken a few steps in an attempt to walk off the field, he stopped. A stretcher was brought in and he was carried off the field.

Officials later revealed that Russell had been taken to the hospital for a scan. And once given the all clear, he went back to the team hotel to rest and recover. His availability for Saturday's game against Trinbago Knight Riders is as yet unclear.

Such injuries are being taken more and more seriously, with international cricket now allowing for concussion substitutes. Marnus Labuschagne (Australia) and Jermaine Blackwood (West Indies) have both featured in Test matches in this capacity after Steve Smith and Darren Bravo, respectively, were ruled out following blows to the head.

The CPL match itself was a high-scoring one. Jamaica posted 170/5, although at 125/3 in the 13th over, they might have hoped for more. In response, Andrew Fletcher and Rahkeem Cornwall got off to a flying start.

They had 79 at the end of the six-over Powerplay, and reached 111 in 8.3 overs before the first wicket fell. Cornwall, who had been the main aggressor, was bowled for 75 off 30 balls, with eight sixes.

Amid a middle-order stutter, Fletcher held on to remain unbeaten on 47 off 36 balls to complete a five-wicket win with 20 balls to spare.