Cricket: Poor Papps headhunted by Lee as claret flows

Michael Papps left Eden Park in an ambulance last night and spent the night under observation in an Auckland hospital after having one of the more brutal re-introductions to international cricket.

Twice in 10 balls he was sconed on the helmet by 150km/h-plus thunderbolts delivered from the hand of Brett Lee.

On the second occasion the blow penetrated the protective shell of his helmet enough to bring up a nasty red egg on the side of his head. It was decided prudent for him to retire hurt and he left the field to the strains of Basement Jaxx singing their anthem Where's Your Head At?

Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming said: "For the first 20 minutes he was not too bad but after that he was in la la land and started shutting his eyes."

Lee, at a coaching clinic earlier in the week, said he felt sickened by the sight of blood on the wicket but it was fair to say he wasn't showing much sympathy yesterday, leaving it to his captain Ricky Ponting to check on Papps' welfare.

The nuggety Canterbury opener remained under the observation of the team doctor after appearing dazed as the lump spread across his face and threatened to affect the sight in his left eye. He didn't return and retired hurt on three.

The first blow that struck Papps came off the third ball he faced. He appeared to misread the pace of a delivery and ducked into it as the ball crashed into the area where the grille meets the helmet.

The 10th ball was even quicker. Papps barely moved before it smashed into his temple area. He stumbled just briefly before collecting most of his wits.

He has prior too. During the 2002-03 season, Papps had his nose smeared across his face by an Ian Butler delivery during a State Shield contest.