Perth Scorchers paceman Matt Kelly says he feared he had suffered a serious injury after being struck flush on the face during a freak fielding mishap last month.
Kelly was at the non-striker's end ready to catch a fielder's return throw when the ball ricocheted off Aaron Finch's bat and cannoned straight into the bowler's face.
The 28-year-old crumpled to the turf and was left bloodied and concussed - ruling him out of last week's qualifying final win over the Sydney Sixers.
