Sydney Thunder opener Cameron Bancroft it is excluded from the rest Big Bash League (BBL) season after suffering a broken shoulder in a horrific collision with teammate Daniel Sams. Both players were taken to hospital in Perth following the Thunder’s win over the Perth Scorchers on Friday night.
While Bancroft’s injury puts an end to his BBL campaign, Sams has also been diagnosed with concussion and will miss at least the next 12 days of cricket.
Bancroft suffered multiple injuries
Bancroft’s injuries go beyond a broken shoulder. The 31-year-old batsman also suffered 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 are well taken care of,” Copeland said during an interview with Channel 7. “The Perth Scorchers medical team and hospital staff did an incredible job throughout the night. We are grateful for their support.”
How the collision unfolded
The incident happened during a Thunder game at Optus Stadium. Both Bancroft and Sams ran towards Cooper Connolly’s kick but neither player saw the other coming.
The result was a head-on collision that left Sams motionless on the turf, while Bancroft clutched his shoulder in pain. The game was stopped for five minutes as medical staff and an ambulance crew rushed onto the pitch to treat the injured players.
Sams had to be taken away in a medical taxi, raising concerns of a possible serious injury. Fortunately, a scan later confirmed the all-rounder had escaped further damage beyond concussion.
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Sams’ Absence a Blow for the Thunder
Sams’ injury comes as a significant blow to the Thunder, who are currently second in the BBL points table. The all-rounder’s ability to hit the ball and deliver late fireworks with the bat has been key to the team’s success.
He is expected to miss at least the next four games, and his return date depends on how he recovers from the concussion.
Meanwhile, Bancroft’s absence leaves a void 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 suffered a dip in form at a critical time.
Oliver Davies enters
The Thunder had to turn to Oliver Davies as a replacement for Sams with concussion. Despite not feeling well, Davies rushed from the team hotel to jump in. He managed three runs off eight balls, but his presence helped the Thunder smash Perth’s target of 177 runs off the last ball of the match.
The win lifted the Thunder to second in the BBL standings, marking a remarkable turnaround after winning just one game last season.
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