Harper in hospital after helmet blow

Victoria wicketkeeper Sam Harper is being assessed in hospital after being struck on the head by the tip of Jake Lehmann’s bat during the Bushrangers' Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia at Adelaide Oval.

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Harper was standing up to the stumps to the bowling of spinner Jon Holland shortly before lunch when Lehmann looked to whip away a shorter ball to the leg side, striking Harper on the head during his follow through.

The 20-year-old 'keeper, who was wearing a helmet at the time, tumbled to the ground as players and medical staff quickly rushed to his aid.

There was a delay in play while Harper was helped from the ground, with umpires then electing to take lunch.

An update from Cricket Victoria late Saturday afternoon said Harper - who has been ruled out of the remainder of the match - would spend the night in hospital under observation.

An extended lunch break was taken after the incident, with play resuming at 2.18pm local time.

Victoria coach Andrew McDonald told ABC radio the umpires had delayed the second session to give the players from both teams time to compose themselves after the incident.

He revealed the opposing captains also discussed whether Victoria should be allowed a replacement player under extenuating circumstances, given Harper will take no further part in the match.

While concussion substitutes are permitted in domestic one-day matches under Cricket Australia's new Concussion and Head Trauma Policy, the same rule does not apply to Sheffield Shield after the International Cricket Council announced in June they had rejected the new rule for first-class and international cricket.

In the event that a player is replaced, the match risks forfeiting First Class status. 

"(SA captain) Travis Head had a think about it and apparently there was some sort of vote in their dressing room, but the end result is we won't be able to replace (Harper) and we'll be playing with 10," McDonald said.

"It's unfortunate ... but that's ultimately South Australia's decision."

Just hours after Harper's injury, NSW batsman Daniel Hughes was assessed for a mild concussion after he was struck on the helmet while fielding against Queensland at the SCG.

Lehmann, who was on 82 at the time, had hit Holland’s previous delivery for six as he looked to add crucial runs with the Redbacks 9-168 in reply to Victoria’s 184.

He was dismissed for 92 as the Redbacks were bowled out for 178.

It’s the second time this summer a wicketkeeper has been struck by a bat, after Melbourne Renegades gloveman Peter Nevill was taken to hospital during the KFC Big Bash League.

Nevill was standing back to the bowling of Sri Lankan seamer Thisara Perera when Adelaide Strikers captain Brad Hodge swung lustily away to the leg side, accidentally losing his grip on the bat in the process.

The piece of willow then sailed in the direction of Nevill, who was looking in the direction of the ball and was oblivious to the incoming missile, with the bat striking the 'keeper-batsman on the right jawline.

The 31-year-old was passed fit to resume the Sheffield Shield season with the Blues, where he scored 118 against Victoria at the MCG last week before reaching three figures again against Queensland on Saturday.