Eoin Morgan retired hurt after receiving a sickening blow from Mitchell Starc

England's captain Eoin Morgan, second left, is treated as he sits on the pitch after being hit on the head off a ball bowled by Australia Mitchell Starc

New Delhi: England One-Day International captain Eoin Morgan retired hurt after receiving a sickening blow on the helmet from Mitchell Starc in the fifth and series deciding match at Old Trafford.

The 29-year-old batsman tried to evade the traveling ball, at 90mph, by turning away from the bouncer, but the delivery struck on the side of his helmet.

Morgan is going to leave the field after this blow. We hope he'll be OK #ENGvAUS http://t.co/lnYJYrlHHw

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) September 13, 2015

After the impact, the left-handed batsman tried to compose himself, but soon England physio and doctor arrived to assess him. He walked off the field after few minutes of discussion.

It happened in the penultimate delivery of the sixth over, after England won the toss and opted to bat first.

Reactions to the incident show the gravity of the situation as a palpable sense of concern dominated the environment, reminding of the late Aussie batsman Phillip Hughes.

Australian players on the field reacted with concern, and their coach Darren Lehmann arrived on the boundary line to talk to Starc - who coincidentally was also present in the Sydney Cricket Ground match wherein Hughes suffered the blow.

Morgan was being treated for a possible concussion and will not take further part in the match. James Taylor has taken the England charge.

Eoin Morgan is being treated for concussion and will take no further part in the game. James Taylor will captain in his absence. #EngvAus

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 13, 2015

Morgan has been in a purple patch, and recently became the leading England batsman against their traditional rivals. He was also the Man of the Match of the fourth match, which England won to level the series 2-2.