Surrey cricketer faces surgery after horrific collision forces match to be abandoned

The incident, played out in front of a large crowd at Arundel, left Australian Moises Henriques with his jaw broken in three places, said a statement from Surrey.

Englishman Rory Burns, the other player involved, suffered head and facial injuries.

"The latest news from the hospital is that both players are in good spirits," a statement said.

"Rory is waiting to have stitches on head and facial injuries. Moises has broken his jaw in three places and is waiting for an operation and then dental surgery will follow.

"The game was abandoned with the full consent of both sides."

The collision occurred in the 19th over of Sussex's innings and the umpires immediately stopped play to allow the pair to be treated on the field.

Fans watched stunned as the players received lengthy treatment and they were both applauded as they were taken from the field.

BBC cricket correspondent Mark Church, who was covering the match, described the incident as the worst he had seen in a cricket match.

"It was a horrible incident that nobody wants to see happen on a cricket field," said Church.

"Both players were looking into the sky, looking for the catch, and went straight into each other. The atmosphere in the ground was very quiet as the players received treatment.

"If you saw that in the street you would be very upset to see it. It was awful."

Henriques faces dental surgery after suffering a broken jaw following a sickening collision on the outfield with Surrey team-mate Rory Burns, who was also hospitalised, during their NatWest t20 Blast match against Sussex at Arundel.

Surrey CCC posted an update on Twitter late on Sunday evening to say both men were "in good spirits", having a few hours earlier crashed into each other at speed while both going for a steepling catch.

Henriques was struck by his team-mate's knee before both fell face down, with medical staff from each clubs quickly out onto the pitch who were soon joined by an off-duty doctor who had been watching the match, which was eventually abandoned.

Surrey later also confirmed Monday's LV= County Championship game against Glamorgan at Guildford ''will go ahead as normal'', the fixture having been in some doubt given the circumstances.

"Latest news is that Rory and Moises are both in good spirits in hospital..Rory is waiting to have stitches on head and facial injuries.. Moises has broken his jaw in three places and is waiting to have an operation..dental surgery will follow... Thank you for all your messages for the two lads...know they are very much appreciated..," the club posted on their official Twitter account.

That positive prognosis on the players was welcome news after spectators in a crowd of 8,500 had earlier watched in horror as the freak accident unfolded.

Both needed oxygen treatment and three ambulances were called onto the pitch before they left the ground. The players were able to offer a thumbs-up to sympathetic spectators before being taken to St Richards' Hospital in Chichester for further treatment and assessment.

Sussex physiotherapist John Marrale, who was one of the first people on the scene, confirmed the men were unconscious after the collision.

He said: ''They were given oxygen and pain relief was administered by an intravenous drip before they went to hospital. Fortunately they were sitting up when they left the ground, but it was a sickening incident.''

Umpire Alex Wharf and his colleague Jeremy Lloyds decided to abandon the match after consulting players from both teams, who included Surrey's Kevin Pietersen who was playing his last game for the county.

Wharf said: ''It was a horrific situation for everyone involved - the players and the spectators who were close to the incident.

''Incidents like that are very rare but the first priority is always the welfare of the players. We consulted with the ECB and the captains and there was never any chance of the game continuing.''