Sydney Thunder opener Cameron Bancroft has been ruled out of the remainder of the Big Bash League (BBL) season after suffering a broken shoulder in a horrific collision with teammate Daniel Sams. Both players were taken to a Perth hospital following the Thunder’s last-ball victory over the Perth Scorchers on Friday night.
While Bancroft’s injury puts an end to his BBL campaign, Sams has also been diagnosed with a concussion and will miss at least the next 12 days of cricket.
Bancroft Suffers Multiple Injuries
Bancroft’s injuries go beyond a broken shoulder. The 31-year-old batter also sustained a broken nose during the collision. His domestic season is now in jeopardy, with uncertainty looming over his return to cricket.
Sydney Thunder’s General Manager Trent Copeland confirmed that both players are in good spirits despite the severity of their injuries.
“Both players are in good spirits and well looked after,” Copeland said during an interview with Channel 7. “The Perth Scorchers’ medical team and the hospital staff did an incredible job throughout the night. We are grateful for their support.”
How the Collision Unfolded
The incident occurred during the Thunder’s fielding effort at Optus Stadium. Both Bancroft and Sams sprinted toward a skied shot from Cooper Connolly, but neither player saw the other coming.
The result was a head-on collision that left Sams lying motionless on the turf, while Bancroft clutched his shoulder in pain. Play was halted for five minutes as medical staff and an ambulance crew rushed onto the field to treat the injured players.
Sams had to be taken off on a medicab, raising concerns about a potential serious injury. Fortunately, scans later confirmed that the allrounder avoided further damage beyond his concussion.
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Sams’ Absence a Blow for the Thunder
Sams’ injury comes as a significant blow for the Thunder, who are currently second on the BBL points table. The allrounder’s ability to strike with the ball and deliver late-order fireworks with the bat has been crucial to the team’s success.
He is expected to miss at least the next four games, with his return date dependent on how he recovers from the concussion.
Meanwhile, Bancroft’s absence leaves a gap at the top of the order. His injury caps a disappointing summer for the West Australian, who was in contention for a Test recall earlier in the season but saw his form dip at a critical time.
Oliver Davies Steps In
The Thunder had to turn to Oliver Davies as a concussion substitute for Sams. Despite feeling unwell, Davies rushed from the team hotel to step in. He managed to score three runs off eight balls, but his presence helped the Thunder chase down Perth’s 177-run target from the final ball of the match.
The win lifted the Thunder to second place on the BBL ladder, marking a remarkable turnaround after winning only one game last season.
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