Phil Salt hits 11-year-old girl in mouth present in stands during The Hundred game

The Hundred, like many other cricket leagues across the globe, ensures quality, entertainment, and a lot of big-hitting from the batters. Consequently, the fans in the stands are often asked to protect themselves from the hard, leather ball that is launched at a searing speed off the sweet spot of the willow from the batters. And not always, the spectators successfully cover themselves from the danger.

One such horrific incident occurred in a Hundred game when Manchester Originals batter Phil Salt smashed one over the fence, and the ball deflected off a metal railing to thud against 11-year-old Emily Vandersteen’s face, who was sitting in the stands. This incident took place in a match between Manchester Originals and Welsh Fire in Old Trafford, Manchester, on August 16, Tuesday.

‘Feeling a little rough but still in shock’ – says Emily’s mother

Emily had met the England and Welsh Fire bowler Alex Hartley outside at the venue on the day before the women’s game to start the doubleheader. However, after the men’s game when the accident occurred, she had to be taken off for medical help and later underwent suturing on her lips, according to Daily Mail reports.

Emily’s mother, Mel Vandersteen, sent an update about Emily’s injury as she wrote, “She is home now. Feeling a little rough but still in shock.” Meanwhile, the 11-year-old is a cricket enthusiast and aspires to be a cricketer someday. Her mother, Vandersteen, said that Emily is a bowler and plays for the under-11 county team. 

Emily also got pictures clicked with a number of England Women cricketers, including skipper Heather Knight and star all-rounder Nat Sciver, in April.  It was posted by Vandersteen with a Tweet, “From Emily ‘good luck to my heroes, I dream of playing for England one day, and you all make me believe & proud. @Sophecc19 as a Cheshire girl, you are my inspiration. I’m 11, so I hope you will be my captain one day! I can’t wait to see all the games this summer. You can do this!’”