England wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler is really worried for the young Sri Lankan cricketer, Pathum Nissanka, after he suffered a serious blow to the head while fielding during a warm-up match between England and Sri Lanka Cricket Board XI in Colombo.

On day two of the warm-up match on Wednesday (October 31), the 20-year-old was struck in the helmet at short leg by a fierce pull shot from Buttler from an off-spinner Nishan Peiris delivery.

Pathum was fielding at short leg and was wearing a helmet, but he almost immediately fell to the ground clutching his head even he ducked to avoid the full force of a pull shot from Buttler.

Within moments, medical staff from both sides ran on to the pitch to assess the situation, as Nissanka was conscious for around 20 minutes before he was taken, on a stretcher and in a neck brace from the ground to hospital for precautionary scans and further treatment.

Buttler told Sportstar, “You always fear the worst, I think. I hit him very hard and straight in the middle of the helmet. Luckily, the medics rushed straight on and treated him and it's good to hear he's doing better. It is always a thankless position to field at short leg and, unfortunately, these things can happen and we just hope he's not badly hurt.”

He signed off by saying, “You don't really care about getting out, you just hope the lad is OK. From yourself hitting it, I knew I had hit it pretty hard and straight away you're worried about the guy.”

The three-match Test series will get underway with the first Test from November 6.

(Input: Sportstar Live)