Star Perth Scorchers allrounder Mitch Marsh was forced off through injury as the Hobart Hurricanes posted an underwhelming 5-139 in their BBL clash at Optus Stadium.
Marsh bowled just three balls before walking off with a suspected side strain midway through the sixth over.
The 29-year-old will undergo scans on Wednesday to determine the extent of the damage.
If Marsh is able to return this BBL season, it's likely to be as a batsman only.
"There's always a bit of distress when there's injury," Scorchers coach Adam Voges told Channel 7.
"Hopefully it won't ... keep him out too long, particularly as a batter, but obviously a bit of distress at the moment."
Hobart were restricted to 2-15 from their opening four-over powerplay as Jhye Richardson (1-23 off four overs) and Jason Behrendorff (1-21 off three) tightened the screws.
Richardson had figures of 1-2 off his first two overs, with the competition's leading runscorer Ben McDermott (2) his prized scalp after the opener chopped the ball onto his stumps.
Hobart meandered to 3-50 after 10 overs before D'Arcy Short (54 off 47) and Tim David (31no off 23) lifted the run rate.
Short entered the match in need of a big score after a series of failures this season and his measured knock ensured Hobart at least reached a defendable total.
Debutant Mitchell Owen (11no off 7) looked at home when he came in at the death, but Hobart's snail-paced approach after losing early wickets meant a big score was never likely.
Scorchers paceman Andrew Tye (0-24) and spinner Fawad Ahmed (1-24) were both tidy.
Ahmed had figures of 1-11 after three overs before being struck for consecutive sixes by David in his final over.
The loss of Marsh for the Scorchers is a massive blow - not only for the current match, but also for the games coming up.
Marsh had been in hot form this season, averaging 46.75 with the bat at a strike rate of 143, and 18.75 with the ball at an economy rate of 6.81.
