West Indies wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich was forced to leave the field on the third day’s play of the third Test against England at Emirates Old Trafford after being struck flush in the cheek by a Shannon Gabriel bouncer behind the stumps.
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The delivery wobbled late on its way through to the helmetless Dowrich, evading his gloves. The diminutive lower-order batsman was able to stand up and leave the field aided by the physio, though the blow drew blood. Shai Hope, who keeps for West Indies in ODI cricket, took up the gauntlets initially, before reserve keeper Joshua Da Silva took to the field to keep wicket for the first time in Test cricket.
“Wow, Dowrich got hit there,” said Sky Sports Cricket commentator Michael Holding. “I think he’ll need some help. That hit him straight in the face. It burst through the gloves, and straight into his face.”
Dowrich will be assessed by the West Indies medical team. If he is concussed, the West Indies will be able to make a permanent like-for-like replacement in the game, with the sub allowed to bat. Footage on the Sky broadcast showed him on the West Indies team balcony shortly after leaving the field.
