In what would have reminded cricket fans of the on-field collision between Steve Waugh and Jason Gillespie during the first Test at Kandy in 1999 resulting in a broken nose for Waugh and broken leg for Gillespie, the Big Bash League (BBL) saw a on-field collision between Daniel Sams and Cam Bancroft during a match between Perth Scorchers and Sydney Thunders. The cricketers were going for the ball in the 16th over of the Scorchers innings at Perth’s Optus Stadium. Sams showed signs of concussion followed by him being attended by paramedics while Bancroft walked with some assistance.
The incident also meant that the Thunders were frantically searching for two substitute fielders with both the players sent to hospital post the incident. Ollie Davies, who was recovering from an illness at the team hotel, and Aussie U-19 captain Hugh Weibgen came as concussions sub with Davies rushing from the hotel and still in the dug-out and not declared as one of the subs. Thunder’s assistant coach Dan Christian was seen changing his clothes on the field as Thunders tried to find the two subs.
“There’s been a horrendous collision. There’s concern here. Both players fully committed to the ball, eyes on it. Didn’t see each other coming. This is what you don’t want to see. Medical staff out there immediately. The major concern is around Daniel Sams. Good signs there as it’s Cam Bancroft on his feet actually walking off the ground. Looks like some damage done to his nose. Such courage – it was all eyes on the ball for both of them.” Mel Jones said on commentary for Fox Cricket.
That’s a very nasty collision between daniel sams and cameron bancroft. Bancroft has a bleedy nose but he’s walking off the field with the physio. But Sams is being stretchered out. Hope he is fine. #AUSvIND #BBL #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/itgWExXK8f
— Sara (@tap4info) January 3, 2025
The incident happened when Scorchers batsman Cooper Connolly hit a Lockie Ferguson delivery aerially towards mid-wicket region in the 16th over where Sams attempted to take the catch running backwards with Bancroft coming from the opposite side and colliding with Sams. While Bancroft was seen walking with a bleeding nose, Sams fell to the ground and was later taken off-the ground in a medicab and taken to hospital. Scorchers were placed at 138 for 4 at that time and play resmed after 12 minutes. Both the players were rushed to the hospital.
“I think these Thunder boys have been really rattled by what they’ve seen. Medical staff were only 50m or so away from him – they got straight to (Sams).” Fox Cricket’s Kath Loughnan commented.
The Scorchers completed their innings at 117 for 4. Commentator Steve O’Keefe thought that the huge stadium and crowd played a part in the incident.
“It’s going to be so difficult to switch back on. These big stadiums, you can’t quite hear, yelling at a player off the ball and something like this happens. Completely accidental, but it’s horrific to see. You can only hope they walk out of this with minor injuries. As a side, it really is hard now to regroup.” O’Keefe said on Fox Cricket.
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