KINGSTON, Jamaica – Middle-order batsman Andre McCarthy was forced to retire hurt on 14 after being hit on the right thumb by a steeply lifting delivery from Brian Buchanan on Tuesday’s first day of the Jamaica Franchise cricket trial match between John Campbell’s XI and Paul Palmer’s XI at Sabina Park.

The batsman became the second major scare within the camp after Brandon King sustained a painful blow to the ribcage in the previous trial match last week.

Luckily for both, assessments done suggested no broken bones.

On the two occasions it was the physical trainer David Bernard who was left to perform the preliminary checks.

The incidents have brought into sharp focus the absence of a physiotherapist or any kind of medical personnel for squad matches or training sessions.

Following King’s injury scare, Courtney Francis, the chief executive officer of the Jamaica Cricket Association, told the Jamaica Observer that having a medical team on-site is not economically feasible at this time.

Francis said the offices of renowned medical officer Dr Akshai Mansingh remain available to players in case of injury.

There is concern however that such an arrangement is not enough in cases of dire emergency. Some argue that, regardless of the financial constraints, better provisions need to be put in place to ensure the welfare of cricketers.

In January 2014, the Observer witnessed Danza Hyatt suffering a broken nose while batting during a squad match at Sabina Park when a short ball squeezed between the peak of the batsman’s helmet and the protective grill.

The ball crashed into the bridge of Hyatt’s nose, causing instant bleeding. He was taken to the hospital by a teammate.

Last week, former Jamaica Captain Tamar Lambert cut his finger while fielding, while on Tuesday, Shacoya Thomas and Kemar Marshall were hit on the helmet while batting.

Both batsmen continued their innings despite the blows.

Sanjay Myers