Trinidad and West Indies fastbowler, Mervyn Dillon (sitting on the ground), is being attended to by medical staff after he was struck by lightning yesterday during a Red Stripe Bowl limited overs cricket match at Kensington Park in east Kingston.

WEST Indies and Trinidad and Tobago fastbowler Mervyn Dillon and Windward Islands' pacer Fernix Thomas were spending time at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) last night after being struck by lightning during a rained-out Red Stripe Bowl limited overs cricket match at Kensington Park in east Kingston yesterday.

Brian Breese, CEO of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), told the Observer late yesterday that both cricketers were in "stable condition".

Breese said the two had been admitted to hospital for 24 hours because "it is mandatory once you have been struck by lightning".

Dillon being assisted off the field by the medical staff. (Photos: Michael Gordon)

The two were taken by ambulance to hospital on medical advice after complaining of headaches, ringing in the ears, some hearing loss in the case of Dillon and for Thomas, a burning sensation at the back of the neck.

The incident took place at about 12:15 pm with Trinidadian batsmen Shazam Babwah -- who later went on to make an unbeaten 103 -- and Dillon, staging a dramatic recovery after their team was at one stage struggling at 47-7.

The Trinidadians had battled to 111-7 at the start of the 39th over in hot sunshine but with storm clouds gathering, when lightning streaks lit up the sky and appeared to flash across the field. The lightning was followed by a huge thunder clap, later described by Trinidad and Tobago coach, Tony Gray, as "the loudest noise I have ever heard".

Spectators scurried for cover, startled umpires, Basil Morgan (Montserrat) and Dalton Holder (Barbados), ran from their prescribed positions and several of the players, including Dillon, were seen to go down. It later transpired that most had simply gone to ground in fright.

Thomas, who was about to start his run-up to bowl to Dillon from the north when the lightning struck, was seen to grab the back of his neck and run staggeringly towards the pavilion. He eventually walked into the pavilion, received treatment and went back onto the field. He actually bowled two more overs before leaving the field once more because of a severe headache and the burning sensation at the back of his neck.

Within seconds of the lightning and thunder clap, it was realised that the 29-year-old Dillon, whose 123 wickets in 34 Tests makes him the most experienced bowler available to the West Indies selectors for upcoming tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa, was still on the ground and obviously hurt. He was treated by medical staff for several minutes before being helped off, walking but obviously dazed.

Several minutes later, Dillon and Thomas, 23, were taken to hospital in a waiting ambulance.

To the surprise of many, play continued, despite more lightning and thunder. Rain, which tumbled down at shortly after 1:00 pm leaving the field waterlogged, eventually forced an abandonment of the game.

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